Fla. justices OK sex offender detention program

The Florida Supreme Court says detaining a sex offender without a commitment hearing for nearly 10 years did not violate his constitutional rights.

But the high court on Thursday also urged judges to hold hearings in a timely manner under a law that lets the state detain sex offenders even after they have completed their prison terms.

The justices also asked its court rules committees to recommend whether procedural changes are needed.

The law is called the "Jimmy Ryce Act." It's named for a 9-year-old boy who was kidnapped, raped and murdered in Miami-Dade County.

The justices wrote that the delay was not unconstitutional because Ronald Morel himself sought it for tactical reasons.

They also found he's not entitled to treatment while being held as a non-committed detainee.