Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Dec 28, 2021
In the Matter of the Care and Treatment of Justin Haggerman, a/k/a Justin C. Haggerman, a/k/a Justin Cole Haggerman vs. State of Missouri
Justin Haggerman appealed his civil commitment as a sexually violent predator, arguing that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by advising him to waive his right to a jury trial. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment. The court found that Haggerman received a meaningful hearing and that his allegations of ineffective assistance were insufficient to warrant an evidentiary hearing under the Strickland standard, as he failed to allege facts showing deficient performance or prejudice.