Grado v. State

Nicholas Grado appeals the circuit court's judgment committing him to the custody of the Department of Mental Health under the Sexually Violent Predator Act, sections 632.480 through 632.525 (the "Act").1 Mr. Grado argues he was entitled to, but deprived of, effective assistance of counsel in defending against the State's attempt to commit him as an SVP. This Court agrees Mr. Grado has a constitutional right under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to effective assistance of counsel in defending against an attempt to commit him under the Act. Because Mr. Grado alleges his…