IN THE MATTER OF THE CIVIL COMMITMENT OF J.S. (SVP-24-99, ESSEX COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (RECORD IMPOUNDED) (A-0625-19)
J.S. challenged an order continuing his civil commitment to the Special Treatment Unit under the Sexually Violent Predators Act, N.J.S.A. 30:4-27.24 to -27.38 on grounds his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance. The court affirmed the order of commitment and held that a litigant subject to a civil commitment may raise claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The court also held that such claims may be raised on appeal from the commitment order or an order continuing commitment. However, the record must be sufficient to address the claims. Otherwise, the claims of ineffective assistance of counsel must be raised to the trial court in the first instance.
