Thursday, April 4, 2002
State of Florida v. Daniel C. Atkinson

no. 01-1775

Polk County


Atkinson was sentenced to prison time for sexual offenses. He was in prison when the Jimmy Ryce Act took effect, but a court later determined he should have been released earlier. Nevertheless, the State evaluated him and determined that he was a sexually violent predator likely to reoffend. He then was civilly committed under the Jimmy Ryce Act. He challenged his commitment, but the trial court denied his claim. The Second District Court reversed but certified the issue to the Supreme Court.