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| Some Fla. Sex Offenders May Go Free |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 12/10/2001 |
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Scores of rapists and child molesters could go free in Florida because of challenges to a state law that allows them to be kept behind bars indefinitely, even after they have served their sentences. Around the country, similar state laws are also being tested, and one such case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. A child molester in Florida has already been released because of a recent state appeals court ruling, and perhaps 200 others could get out of prison because of the decision, too. At issue is the Jimmy Ryce Act. Under the law, when the prison sentence of a violent sexual offender is about to end, prosecutors can ask for a civil trial to decide whether the offender is likely to strike again and should be kept locked up until a doctor determines he is no longer a threat. The 1998 law was named after a 9-year-old Florida boy who was abducted, raped and murdered in 1995. His killer has been sentenced to death. The problem is this: Scores of offenders who have completed their sentences but are still awaiting their civil trials are being held behind bars in the meantime based on evidence from prosecutors that they would be a danger to society. Earlier this month, however, a state appeals court in Lakeland ruled that such pre-trial evidence must be given under oath. More than 200 offenders in Florida awaiting civil trials are covered by the Nov. 16 ruling, Johnson said. Defense attorneys have filed requests for release of at least 60 of them. |
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