Kansas v. Hendricks

The U.S. Supreme Court considered an appeal by the State of Kansas that arose from the Kansas Supreme Court\u27s invalidation of the Kansas Sexually Violent Predator Act. The Act establishes procedures for the civil commitment of persons who, due to a mental abnormality or personality disorder, are likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence. The Supreme Court held that the Act\u27s definition of mental abnormality satisfies substantive due process requirements. The Court further held that since the Act does not establish criminal proceedings, it does not violate the Constitution\u27s double jeopardy prohibitions or its ban on ex post facto lawmaking. The Court\u27s holding and its implications are discussed