Morel v. State

Ronald Morel (“Defendant”) appeals the denial of his motion to dismiss the State’s petition for civil commitment as a sexually violent predator (“SVP”) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Based on the Florida Supreme Court’s decisions in State v. Phillips, 119 So.3d 1233 (Fla.2013), Larimore v. State, 2 So.3d 101 (Fla.2008), and State v. Atkinson, 831 So.2d 172 (Fla.2002), the trial court did not have jurisdiction over Defendant at the time of his civil commitment. Accordingly, we reverse, and grant Defendant’s motion.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY1

While serving his sentence after being…