Subject Index Criminal Law and Procedure

The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that a trial court failed to ask follow-up questions after a defendant made a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Additionally, pepper spray used on a store clerk is a "dangerous weapon" within the meaning of the armed robbery statute.

In July 2014, defendant Darren Johnson was arrested for shoplifting $76.91 worth of clothing from a local Wal-Mart. The state charged the defendant with retail theft and burglary.

The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended to allow the court to give credit toward the fulfillment of community service hours for participation in activities and treatment as determined by court services.

The Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 is amended by changing section 122-1 (725 ILCS 5/122-1) to allow for petitions in the trial court for those imprisoned that can establish their participation in a felony was a direct result of post-partum depression or psychosis, or if no direct evidence of these mental states was presented at trial or sentencing.

The court found that the State's due diligence requirement for a 60-day extension of the speedy trial statute provision of 725 ILCS 5/103-5(c) (2014) was not satisfied where a trial was delayed for almost two years by the prosecution's inability to bring the state trooper to court.

Amendments to the Vital Records Act ensure that a search fee for birth and death records will not be required if the person presents a prescribed verification form completed by the Department of Corrections with the person's date of birth and social security number (410 ILCS 535/25(1)).

The Bail Reform Act of 2017 seeks to simultaneously promote public safety and protect the rights of the accused in Illinois' criminal justice system.

Defendant Joe Rosado was convicted by a jury of delivery of cocaine within 1000 feet of a high school. In a previous trial before the same judge, a different jury had acquitted Defendant of delivering a controlled substance to an undercover police investigator.

Persons charged with a criminal offense are allowed counsel at bail hearings. If a defendant wants counsel for the initial appearance but is unable to obtain counsel, the court shall appoint a public defender or licensed attorney to represent him or her for the purposes of that hearing.

Terrell was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon and multiple counts related to drug possession and intent to distribute after officers found the illegal items in an apartment that contained items linked to him.

Rodriguez was convicted of first-degree murder when he was 15-years-old. On appeal, Rodriguez argued that the trial court erroneously denied his motion to suppress evidence found during a search of his home.

This Act amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and Unified Code of Corrections to discontinue the issuance of identification cards by the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DOJJ) to recently released persons.

Several proposals were submitted in the House that would change procedures for setting bail, posting bail, and modifying bail requirements.

The appellate court reversed and remanded the trial court's denial of Gutierrez's motion to quash arrest and suppress evidence.

The Fifth Appellate District reversed a defendant's conviction after he was denied a motion to quash arrest and suppress evidence and statements on the basis of involuntary consent.