People v. James

404 N.E.2d 1088, 83 Ill. App. 3d 1078, 39 Ill. Dec. 497, 1980 Ill. App. LEXIS 2830
Appellate Court of Illinois·Decided May 9, 1980·No. No. 79-870·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE ALLOY

delivered the opinion of the court:

The defendant, 18-year-old Jesse Lee James, appeals from a judgment of the Circuit Court revoking his probation and from the sentence imposed.

The defendant was arrested on September 12, 1978, and charged with burglary and the theft of a television valued at under $150. On January 30, 1979, he pleaded guilty to the charge of misdemeanor theft (111. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 38, par. 16 — 1(a)(1)) and the charge of burglary was rendered nolle prosequi. He was sentenced to one year probation plus a $500 fine (and $218.45 in costs). On May 25,1979, he was arrested for burglary and the theft of stereo equipment valued at over $150. Pursuant to a plea negotiation, it was agreed that the defendant would plead guilty to theft (a Class 3 felony) and to violation of his probation. In turn, the prosecution would issue a nolle prosequi on the burglary charge and recommend a 53-day concurrent sentence for the violation of probation. On July 3, 1979, the defendant was sentenced to 30 months’ probation, with 80 days to be spent in incarceration in the Kankakee County detention center. He was credited with 37 days already served since his arrest, thus leaving 53 days of custody yet to be served.

On August 3, 1979, the court convened to determine whether the defendant had violated the probation to which he had been sentenced for Ms 1978 misdemeanor theft conviction. It was a condition of his probation that the defendant commit no more crimes during the probationary period. On August 3, the defendant’s counsel confessed that the defendant had violated the terms of Ms probation and told the court that the prosecutor had agreed that, as part of the negotiation by which the defendant pleaded guilty to the 1979 felony theft, the prosecution would recommend a sentence of 53 days in the county detention center, to run concurrently with the incarceration imposed for the 1979 felony theft. The prosecutor agreed that this had been the result of the negotiation. The judge then admonished the defendant, in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 402 (111. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 110A, par. 402), of the rights which he would give up by pleading guilty. The defendant seemed somewhat confused by the maximum sentence to which he could be subjected if found in violation of his probation, but that confusion appeared to abate.

In response to several of the judge’s questions, the defendant answered affirmatively, indicating that he wished to give up his right to a hearing and wished to plead guilty. The judge then explained that the prosecution has the burden of proof and that the defendant has the right to call witnesses and to cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses. He then said, “When you plead guilty you give up those rights. Is that what you want to do?” The defendant replied, “No, sir.” The judge then noted for the record that the defendant apparently did not understand the nature of his rights. Defense counsel asked, “[SJhould we have a competency hearing?” to which the judge responded, “I don’t know.” Defense counsel asked for a recess, which was granted. The judge then spoke for the record: “On motion of the Defendant cause is recessed to Monday at 9:30 at which time if I am not satisfied he was just confused and it is cleared up I will set it for hearing.”

On August 6, 1979, court reconvened. The defense counsel again attempted to enter a guilty plea. He explained that the defendant had indicated to him that he understood “what was going on”. When asked by the court, “All right, Mr. James, do you understand what is going on here?” the defendant replied, “Not really.” AH present then agreed that a hearing on the issue of probation violation was in order. Defense counsel said they should hold it immediately, as there was little of substance to raise in such a hearing. The prosecutor, however, requested a recess until the return from a seminar of the prosecutor who was present when the defendant pleaded guilty to the felony theft charge. On August 10,1979, the cause again came before the court. The defendant’s counsel raised the point that “the proof is somewhat simplistic” and again tried to enter a plea of guilty. He explained that the defendant had been confused by the two cases against him, the felony theft case and the instant probation revocation proceeding, but he now understood what was going on and wished to plead gufity.

In response to the judge’s questioning, the defendant assured the court that he now understood what was going on. However, the court found that “one out of three isn’t very good” and proceeded with the hearing. The proof was, as defendant’s counsel stated, somewhat simplistic. The State called the assistant State’s Attorney who had prosecuted Mr. James for felony theft and elicited from him the testimony that Mr. James had pleaded guilty to that charge. The prosecution then introduced a record of that guilty plea. The defense did not cross-examine, did not challenge the exhibit, and did not introduce any evidence, The court then found the defendant guilty of having violated his probation. The court asked the prosecution for a recommendation as to sentence. The prosecutor replied that, at one time, there had been an agreement, but because the defendant “did not confess the petition or did not confess it satisfactorily” and “we proved our case,” the prosecution would make no recommendation as to sentence. Subsequently, a sentencing hearing was held and the defendant was sentenced to 364 days’ incarceration in an institution other than a penitentiary, with no credit given for time spent on probation, but with 22 days’ credit for time spent in custody. Appeal bond was set.

The defendant’s first contention on appeal is that the court erred in not ordering a hearing to determine whether the defendant was fit to plead guilty to the charge of probation violation. The fitness standard is the same for a plea of guilty as for standing trial. (People v. Heral 1976), 62 Ill. 2d 329, 334, 342 N.E.2d 34.) Fitness for trial consists of two qualities enumerated in the Unified Code of Corrections: the ability to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings and the ability to assist in one’s defense. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 38, par. 1005 — 2—1(a).) When a bona fide doubt of the defendant’s fitness to stand trial or be sentenced is raised, the court shall order that a determination of that question be made before further proceedings. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 38, par. 1005 — 2—1(c).) The question of fitness may be raised by the State, the defendant or the court. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 38, par. 1005 — 2—1(b).) Whether a bona fide doubt has been raised is a decision resting largely within the discretion of the trial court. People v. Murphy (1978), 72 Ill. 2d 421, 431, 381 N.E.2d 677.

There is not necessarily a congruence between a finding that a criminal defendant did not knowingly and voluntarily waive his right to trial and a finding that there exists a bona fide doubt as to fitness such as to require a hearing on that issue. However, from the record before us, it is apparent that the trial judge himself held a doubt as to the defendant’s ability to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings. The statute governing fitness to stand trial is quite liberal in its directive that a court shall hold a fitness inquiry, before continuing with the proceedings, whenever a bona fide doubt is raised.

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People v. James, 404 N.E.2d 1088, 83 Ill. App. 3d 1078, 39 Ill. Dec. 497, 1980 Ill. App. LEXIS 2830 (Ill. Ct. App. 1980).

404 N.E.2d 1088 (People v. James) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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