People v. Leonard

Opinion

CALLAHAN, J.

Defendant Harvey Mack Leonard appeals from an order committing him to Atascadero State Hospital after a jury found true the allegation he is a sexually violent predator within the meaning of Welfare and Institutions Code sections 6600-6609.3, the Sexually Violent Predators Act (the SVPA). 1

Defendant raises a broad constitutional challenge to the SVPA, claiming it violates" guarantees of due process, equal protection, fair trial, right to counsel, the privilege not to testify against himself, and protections against double jeopardy and ex post facto laws. Most of defendant’s…