Jenkins v. DIRECTOR OF VIRGINIA CENTER

OPINION BY Chief Justice LEROY R. HASSELL, SR.

I

The primary issue that we consider in this habeas corpus proceeding invoking this Court's original jurisdiction is whether petitioner, who was committed to an institution pursuant to Virginia's Sexually Violent Predators Act, is entitled to effective assistance of counsel during the appeal of the civil commitment judgment.

II

Jim Murrow Jenkins, petitioner, was convicted in the Accomack County Circuit Court in 1994 of one count of forcible sodomy, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of carnal knowledge. He received a sentence of…