Kansas v. Hendricks

In 1994, Kansas enacted the Sexually Violent Predator Act, which establishes procedures for-the civil commitment of persons who, due to a “mental abnormality” or a “personality disorder,” are likely to engage in “predatory acts of sexual violence.” Kan. Stat. Ann. § 59-29a01 et seq. (1994). The State invoked the Act for the first time to commit Leroy Hendricks, an inmate who had a long history of sexually molesting children, and who was scheduled for release from prison shortly after the Act became law. - Hendricks challenged his commitment on, inter alia, “substantive” due process, double…