People v. Otto

Opinion

BROWN, J.

In this case we decide whether Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 6600, subdivision (a)(3) (section 6600(a)(3)), which permits the details of predicate offenses to be proven by documentary evidence in a sexually violent predator (SVP) commitment proceeding, allows the admission of multiple hearsay that does not fall within any exception to the hearsay rule, and if so, whether reliance on this evidence violates a defendant’s right to due process. The Court of Appeal concluded such hearsay was admissible and reliance on the evidence did not contravene defendant’s due process…