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Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for Involuntary Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators – 2026

The procedure for the civil commitment of a sexually violent predator under part V, chapter 394, Florida Statutes — the Jimmy Ryce Act — in twenty-five rules. These apply to all such actions in the circuit courts and are cited Fla. R. Civ. P. – S.V.P. Rule 4.200 governs the appointment of counsel and Rule 4.220 the adversarial probable cause hearing; Rule 4.240 the trial proceedings that follow a finding of probable cause, including the time within which trial must be held. Discovery has its own substantial group — general provisions, depositions upon oral examination, the use of a deposition in court proceedings, sanctions for failure to make discovery, depositions of expert witnesses, and subpoenas. Rule 4.431 covers trial by jury and the unanimous verdict required, Rule 4.440 which rules of procedure and evidence apply, and the last three the routes after judgment: appeal, post-judgment habeas corpus, and post-commitment proceedings.

Browse all 25 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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Rule 4.010 Scope and Title of Rules Rule 4.030 Nonverification of Pleadings Rule 4.040 Parties Rule 4.060 Venue and Transfers of Actions Rule 4.070 Process Rule 4.080 Service and Filing of Pleadings, Papers, and Documents Rule 4.090 Time Rule 4.100 Pleadings and Motions Rule 4.110 Motions Rule 4.200 Appointment of Counsel Rule 4.220 Adversarial Probable Cause Hearing Rule 4.240 Trial Proceedings After Finding of Probable Cause Rule 4.260 Continuance of Trial Rule 4.280 General Provisions Governing Discovery Rule 4.310 Depositions Upon Oral Examination Rule 4.330 Use of Deposition in Court Proceedings Rule 4.380 Failure to Make Discovery; Sanctions Rule 4.390 Depositions of Expert Witnesses Rule 4.410 Subpoena Rule 4.430 Demand for Jury Trial; Waiver Rule 4.431 Trial by Jury Rule 4.440 Rules of Procedure and Evidence Rule 4.450 Appeal Rule 4.460 Post Judgment Habeas Corpus Rule 4.470 Post Commitment Proceedings