Section Newsletters

Articles on Sentencing

Despite the trial court’s incorrect statement of the maximum potential sentencing admonishment, the trial court subsequently complied with Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 401(a) and the defendant made a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of counsel By Kelly Doyle Coakley Criminal Justice, December 2017 In People v. Wright, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the appellate court and affirmed the circuit court’s conviction.
A judge’s perspective on sentencing hearings By Hon. Robert J. Anderson Bench and Bar, April 2017 Some helpful insight when facing non-negotiated pleas and sentencing hearings after trials.
1 comment (Most recent February 25, 2018)
SCRAM: A sentencing option in alcohol-related offenses By Hon. Gregory Paul Vazquez Traffic Laws and Courts, June 2010 An explanation of SCRAM technology.
SCRAM: A sentencing option in alcohol-related offenses By Hon. Gregory Paul Vazquez Criminal Justice, October 2009 Attorneys and judges have been seeking optimal sentencing alternatives in cases where alcohol has either played a part in the offense or is a factor that needs to be addressed during the defendant’s sentencing hearing. A relatively recent option is the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring system, commonly referred to as SCRAM.
Mental retardation: Mitigating or aggravating factor in sentencing? By Thomas A. Bruno Human and Civil Rights, January 2009 The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled on the proper application of mental retardation as a mitigating or aggravating factor in sentencing in People v. Heider, Docket No. 103859, decided May, 2008.
Considering retardation in sentencing By Thomas A. Bruno Bench and Bar, December 2008 The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled on the proper application of mental retardation as a mitigating or aggravating factor in sentencing in People v. Heider, 231 Ill.2d 1, ___ N.E.2d ____, 2008 WL 2131584, (May 22, 2008).   
Advanced training in sentencing reform held for Illinois judges and other stakeholders in the justice system By Joseph Tybor Bench and Bar, October 2008 Twenty Illinois judges received advanced training recently in evidence-based practices (:EBP”)–a sentencing reform tool aimed at reducing recidivism by tailoring probationary conditions to risk factors identified in an offender’s life.

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