For our second meeting of the semester, on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 12:00 p.m., in Room 425, CLS will be hosting a Jimmy Ryce Debate/Panel of Attorneys featuring Assistant State Attorney Phil Bavington who handles Jimmy Ryce cases on behalf of the State for the Fourth Judicial Circuit and Jonathan Zisser, a private defense attorney who defends these cases.
Members of the society are encouraged to attend so they can obtain knowledge on an important area of the law that is not well known in our legal system. Although it is primarily a civil commitment, it is in fact related to the criminal law arena. Many Defendants are subjected to this commitment when they have been convicted of a sexual offense.
Students are encouraged to participate in the debate and ask questions that spark the background and opposing views on the issue. It is a highly contested issue because many advocates for the Defense believe that the civil rights of Defendants are being violated by the civil commitment. However, advocates for the State believe that those who commit sexual offenses should be subjected to civil commitment past their criminal incarceration to further rehabilitate the offenders with treatment which is a benefit for society.
If students have specific questions they would like addressed, they should email them in advance to Sheena Holland, Parliamentarian, tisheena.holland@law.fcsl.edu.
A delicious lunch will be provided! Invite your friends to attend!
