Ward

1. Introduction

Defendant Ronald William Ward appeals from an order extending his original commitment as a sexually violent predator for an additional two years. His sole contention is that the court lost jurisdiction after his original commitment expired and the court dismissed the petition to extend his commitment but permitted another petition to be filed immediately.

We hold the court did not lose jurisdiction.

2. Factual and Procedural Background

In 1985, defendant pleaded guilty to committing lewd and lascivious acts by means of threat or force or both against his two stepchildren, a five-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy. Defendant was guilty of previous sexual crimes. Before defendant was scheduled to be released from prison, the court found him to be a sexually violent predator and committed him for two years from July 21, 1997, to July 21, 1999.

Apparently, on June 7, 1999, the People filed a subsequent petition (the first petition) to extend the term of defendant’s commitment another two years. On a defense motion, the court dismissed the first petition on June 30, 2000, because only one psychological examination supported the petition. On the same…