People v. Washington
The court held that the Sexually Violent Predator Act's automatic waiver of a jury trial-permitting a bench trial unless the committed person expressly.
Date Filed: December 03, 2021
Case Name: People v. Washington
Case Number: B299238
Court: California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Seven
(‘The Court decides whether the Sexually Violent Predator Act’s procedure—allowing a court trial unless the alleged SVP expressly demands a jury trial and providing no advisement of that right—violates equal‑protection guarantees. It conditionally affirms the commitment of Clayborn Washington as an SVP but remands so the trial court may consider Washington’s equal‑protection challenge; if the court finds the statutory waiver scheme unconstitutional, the People must show a valid justification or the matter must be sent to a jury trial. This holding clarifies that, unlike other civil commitment statutes, the SVPA’s limited jury‑trial protections are subject to constitutional scrutiny, placing the burden on the State to justify any differential procedural treatment.’, ‘a32f166a’)
This case summary was prepared for educational purposes. For the authoritative version, please refer to the full opinion or the official California Courts website.