{"id":352019,"date":"2023-08-28T12:50:45","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T17:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/civil-commitment.html"},"modified":"2023-08-28T12:50:45","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T17:50:45","slug":"civil-commitment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/civil-commitment.html","title":{"rendered":"Civil Commitment for Sex Offenders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Civil Commitment for Sex Offenders<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Some 20 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government have laws that permit civil commitment proceedings for habitual or violent sex offenders. These laws permit the State to remove sex offenders from society for extended, and often indefinite, periods of time. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Civil commitment for sex offenders may involve court-ordered treatment and confinement. Civil commitment happens after offenders have served a sentence for a criminal case. It is not based on new law violations, but on assessments of mental illness and a determination of the level of “dangerousness” the offender presents upon return to society.<\/p>\n

Sex offense convictions can have far-reaching effects on a person’s life. For that reason, anyone suspected of these serious crimes should talk to a criminal defense attorney<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The History of Civil Commitment Laws<\/h2>\n

In contrast with punishment for past crimes in the criminal justice system, involuntary civil commitment is based on concerns that an individual cannot care for his personal needs or poses a risk of harm to himself or others in the future.<\/p>\n

Historically, state civil commitment laws were not exclusive to sex offenders. These laws have existed in various forms since the 1800s. They permit civil confinement for a broad category of persons determined to pose a high threat to themselves or others.<\/p>\n

This definition can include people with:<\/p>\n