Kansas V. Hendricks Case Study

Title and Citation: Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346 (1997)
Type of Action: Participation in treatment and civil commitment
Facts of Case: Mr. Hendricks suffers from a disorder called pedophilia, which is a psychosexual disorder in which an adult has sexual fantasies about or engages in sexual acts with a prepubescent child of the same or opposite sex. During trial, Mr. Hendricks admitted to having this disorder but he was never treated for a cure. As a result, he continued to have desires for children. His desires worsened and became uncontrollable when he was stressed out. (Caselaw, 2009) The jury ruled him to be a sexually violent predator. Mr. Hendricks had an extensive history of child molestation, so the state of Kansas felt they should petition under the sexually violent predator act, which outlines that, the civil commitment of persons who, due to a “mental abnormality” or a “personality disorder,” are likely to engage in such acts. (Caselaw, 2009)
Contentions of the Parties: The State Supreme Court acted on the grounds that Mr. Hendricks’ condition appeared to be substantial enough to satisfy the due process requirement that involuntary civil commitments must be predicted on a mental illness finding. Hendricks appealed and argued that his commitment violated his due process rights, as well as his protection against double jeopardy

Given the uncertainties of a psychiatric diagnosis, it may impose a burden the state cannot meet and thereby erect an unreasonable barrier to needed medical treatment. Also, as a mentally competent individual, Mr. Addington had the right to be released from mental care at his own will. He could not be held in a mental hospital without the sufficient medical proof of mental