People v. Romack

2023 IL App (5th) 220071-U

• Court: Appellate Court of Illinois
• Decided: May 22, 2023
• Docket: 5-22-0071
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

2023 IL App (5th) 220071-U NOTICE NOTICE Decision filed 05/22/23. The This order was filed under text of this decision may be NO. 5-22-0071 Supreme Court Rule 23 and is changed or corrected prior to not precedent except in the the filing of a Petition for IN THE limited circumstances allowed Rehearing or the disposition of under Rule 23(e)(1). the same. APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

FIFTH DISTRICT ______________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Coles County. ) v. ) No. 21-CF-498 ) JEFFREY L. ROMACK, ) Honorable ) Mitchell K. Shick, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, presiding. ______________________________________________________________________________

JUSTICE CATES delivered the judgment of the court. Justices Vaughan and McHaney concurred in the judgment.

ORDER

¶1 Held: The circuit court did not abuse its discretion where the defendant’s request for self- representation was not clear and unequivocal and where the defendant acquiesced to the appointment of counsel.

¶2 The defendant, Jeffrey L. Romack, pleaded guilty to aggravated stalking and was sentenced

to probation for a period of 30 months. On appeal, the defendant claims that he had made a clear

and unequivocal request for self-representation and the circuit court abused its discretion by

denying the defendant’s request. For the following reasons, we affirm.

¶3 I. BACKGROUND

¶4 The defendant, Jeffrey L. Romack, was charged with aggravated stalking (720 ILCS 5/12-

7.4(a) (West 2020)). The charge included that the defendant had committed the offense of stalking

and had violated an order of protection. The information alleged that the defendant had committed

1 the offense of aggravated stalking on December 22, 2020, December 26, 2020, December 29,

2020, January 22, 2021, February 15, 2021, and May 25, 2021. The defendant was additionally

charged with violating an order of protection in People v. Romack, No. 21-CM-455 (Cir. Ct. Coles

County). The defendant was taken into custody on October 29, 2021, and his bond was set at

$10,000.

¶5 On November 8, 2021, the circuit court held a hearing in this matter as well as People v.

Romack, No. 21-CM-455 (Cir. Ct. Coles County). At the start of the hearing, the circuit court

questioned the corrections deputy on whether the defendant needed to remain where he was seated.

The defendant appeared to have health issues related to his diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. The

following discussion occurred before the start of the hearing:

“CORRECTIONS DEPUTY: Yeah, he says his blood sugar is low, Judge. THE COURT: That’s okay. Just have a seat. THE DEFENDANT: I represent myself, Your Honor. THE COURT: Well, that’s okay, I’ll talk to you from there. THE DEFENDANT: I want to be able to speak to the State. THE COURT: Well, we don’t have time for you to speak to the State here. [The defendant] is present. He is in custody. Let me pull your file out.”

¶6 The hearing proceeded. The defendant was handed a copy of the information. The circuit

court reviewed the charge of aggravated stalking and stated it was a Class III felony. The circuit

court then informed the defendant that the purpose of the hearing was to determine how the

defendant wished to proceed with representation. The circuit court stated,

“We’re going to decide whether or not you’re going to hire an attorney or I’m going to appoint one to represent you. You do have the option to represent yourself, but I don’t recommend that.”

The circuit court further informed the defendant that he could not discuss the facts of his case at

the hearing.

2 ¶7 The defendant responded, “I understand we can’t talk about my case today.” Then the

defendant proceeded to discuss his case. The circuit court stopped the defendant and directed him

to answer whether he was asking for a public defender to represent him. The following transpired:

“THE DEFENDANT: At the present time, I would like to ask for a release from custody in order to be able to defend myself because I want to represent myself and— THE COURT: Does the State object? [THE STATE]: Yes. THE COURT: That request is denied. THE DEFENDANT: I don’t understand why I can’t— THE COURT: The bond, you will have to post the bond that was set at $10,000.”

¶8 The hearing continued and the circuit court addressed the bond issue. The defendant had

filed a pro se motion for a bond reduction. The defendant’s motion was not included in the record

for this matter. The circuit court indicated that it reviewed the defendant’s pro se motion. The State

objected to the bond reduction and acknowledged the defendant’s health issues. The State

addressed the aggravated stalking charge and argued that the bond was appropriate.

¶9 The defendant, in response to the State, explained that he was not a threat, he had a child

with the victim, and he was sending text messages about the child. The defendant began to discuss

issues in a related family case. The circuit court stopped the defendant and advised him that

anything he said was on the record and could be used against him. The circuit court then stated,

“That’s why I think you need an attorney.” The defendant then informed the circuit court that the

only allegations were based on text messaging. The defendant proceeded to argue that he was not

a flight risk, he appeared for court on time, and his health was an issue. He asserted that his health

concerns were not being treated properly in custody. Then, the following occurred:

“THE COURT: Do you want me to appoint an attorney to represent you? THE DEFENDANT: I’d like—I’d like to be able to be released because of— THE COURT: I’m going to deny that request now. Do you want me to appoint an attorney to represent you? THE DEFENDANT: Can I have at least a lower bond?

3 THE COURT: I’m going to leave the bond as set by Judge Glenn. Let me ask you one final time; do you want me to appoint an attorney to represent you? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I would, but at this present time with me representing myself, I understand that you’re saying that you’re wanting to leave the bond as it is. I’m asking you, please, Your Honor. THE COURT: [The defendant]. THE DEFENDANT: This was— THE COURT: I’m going to appoint Mr. Ortega to represent you. That’s the end of this hearing at this time.”

¶ 10 The next hearing was held on November 15, 2021, for a preliminary hearing in this matter

as well as People v. Romack, No. 21-CM-455 (Cir. Ct. Coles County). Defense counsel informed

the circuit court that the defendant was waiving the hearing and a plea agreement had been reached.

The circuit court informed the defendant that he had the right to a preliminary hearing where the

State was required to present sufficient evidence for a finding of probable cause. The defendant

waived his right to the preliminary hearing and stated, “before I start, Your Honor, I want to

apologize to you.” The court asked whether the apology was for the last hearing and accepted the

defendant’s apology. The court then accepted the waiver of the preliminary hearing and proceeded

to address the plea agreement.

¶ 11 The State agreed to dismiss People v. Romack, No. 21-CM-455 (Cir. Ct. Coles County) in

exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea for aggravated stalking. The plea agreement stipulated

that the defendant would serve 30 months of probation and pay a fine of $800 and costs as set forth

in the financial sentencing order. Additionally, the defendant would serve 180 days in the Coles

County Safety and Detention Center. The defendant received 38 days’ credit for time served. The

remaining 142 days would be stayed pending compliance with probation. The defendant was

prohibited from contacting the victim or her residence. He additionally was additionally required

to obtain an alcohol and drug evaluation and comply with recommended treatments.

4 ¶ 12 The defense accepted the plea agreement. The circuit court then admonished the defendant

regarding the plea agreement and found a factual basis for the plea agreement. The circuit court

accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and entered judgment against the defendant in accordance

with the plea agreement.

¶ 13 On December 15, 2021, the defendant filed a motion to withdraw the guilty plea. The

circuit court held a hearing on the defendant’s motion to withdraw. The defendant and a nurse with

the Coles County Sheriff’s Office both testified about the defendant’s health on the date of the plea

hearing. The defense argued that the motion to withdraw the guilty plea should be granted because

the defendant felt the effects of having low blood sugar during the hearing. The State argued that

the transcript of the hearing did not reflect that the defendant was having issues and that the

defendant had knowingly and voluntarily pleaded guilty.

¶ 14 The circuit court found that the defendant’s responses at the plea hearing were appropriate,

and no evidence was presented that the defendant was suffering from low blood sugar during the

hearing. The defendant’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea was denied. Defense counsel

requested that the circuit clerk issue a notice of appeal and that appellate counsel be appointed for

the defendant. This appeal followed.

¶ 15 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 16 On appeal, the defendant argues that he had made clear and unequivocal requests to

represent himself. The defendant further argues that the circuit court abused its discretion by

denying the defendant’s request for self-representation without inquiring whether the defendant’s

request was made knowingly and intelligently.

¶ 17 The defendant raises this issue for the first time on appeal. Failure to specify grounds in

writing in a motion for a new trial has been held to be a forfeiture of the issue on review in the

5 absence of plain error. People v. Albea, 2017 IL App (2d) 150598, ¶ 16. A forfeited claim of error

is reviewable under the plain error rule where the error is clear or obvious and either (1) “the

evidence is so closely balanced that the error alone threatened to tip the scales of justice against

the defendant, regardless of the seriousness of the error” or (2) “the error is so serious that it

affected the fairness of the defendant’s trial and challenged the integrity of the judicial process,

regardless of the closeness of the evidence.” Albea, 2017 IL App (2d) 150598, ¶ 17. The denial of

self-representation is reviewable under the plain error rule because it involves structural error

which affects the entire trial and requires automatic reversal. Albea, 2017 IL App (2d) 150598,

¶ 28. As such, we will address the merits of the issue.

¶ 18 A defendant has a constitutional right to represent himself in a criminal proceeding. Faretta

v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 836 (1975). Waiver of counsel must be clear and unequivocal and not

ambiguous. People v. Burton, 184 Ill. 2d 1, 21 (1998). The overall context of the proceedings is

reviewed to determine whether the defendant truly desires to represent himself and has invoked

his right of self-representation. Burton, 184 Ill. 2d at 22. This includes the defendant’s conduct

following his request for self-representation. People v. Washington, 2016 IL App (1st) 131198,

¶ 55. The entire record is reviewed when making our determination. Washington, 2016 IL App

(1st) 131198, ¶ 55.

¶ 19 Once the circuit court has addressed a defendant who wishes to proceed pro se in open

court, has appropriately informed him of the rights he is waiving, has informed him of the potential

disadvantages of his action, and finds that the defendant is knowingly waiving his right to counsel,

the court should make its findings accordingly and respect the defendant’s decision to exercise his

constitutional right of self-representation. People v. Ward, 208 Ill. App. 3d 1073, 1084-85 (1991).

6 The circuit court may appropriately attempt to discourage a defendant from representing himself.

People v. Burns, 2012 IL App (4th) 110670, ¶ 18.

¶ 20 The circuit court’s decision regarding the defendant’s election for self-representation will

be reversed only if the circuit court abused its discretion. People v. Rohlfs, 368 Ill. App. 3d 540,

545 (2006). “An abuse of discretion will be found only where the court’s ruling is arbitrary,

fanciful, unreasonable, or where no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial

court.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) People v. Baez, 241 Ill. 2d 44, 106 (2011). A trial court

may also abuse its discretion where “it fails to understand it has discretion to act or wholly fails to

exercise its discretion.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) People v. Luellen, 2019 IL App (1st)

172019, ¶ 38.

¶ 21 The circuit court does not abuse its discretion where a “defendant raises the notion of self-

representation in a way that falls short of a clear request to invoke that right.” People v. Rainey,

2019 IL App (1st) 160187, ¶ 40. If a defendant gives an indication that he wishes to proceed pro se,

the request may be considered abandoned where he acquiesces to the appointment of counsel.

Burton, 184 Ill. 2d at 23. Additionally, a defendant’s request for self-representation may be

forfeited where the defendant remains silent during critical junctures of the proceedings. Burton,

184 Ill. 2d at 24.

¶ 22 On November 8, 2021, when the defendant’s case was called for hearing, the corrections

officer informed the circuit court that the defendant was having an issue with his health. The circuit

court allowed the defendant to remain where he was seated to accommodate his health concerns.

The defendant stated, “I represent myself, Your Honor” in the conversation regarding whether the

defendant had to move within the courtroom. The circuit court responded, “Well, that’s okay, I’ll

talk to you from there.”

7 ¶ 23 This conversation took place before the court reviewed the charges and before the court

stated the purpose of the hearing. After the parties were situated in the courtroom, the circuit court

explained that the purpose of the hearing was to determine whether the defendant was going to

hire an attorney, request a public defender, or represent himself. The defendant’s statement of “I

represent myself, Your Honor” was not a clear and unequivocal demand or a request for self-

representation where the parties were being seated in the courtroom and the defendant appeared

pro se.

¶ 24 The defendant made an additional statement during the hearing regarding self-

representation. Specifically, the defendant stated, “at the present time, I would like to ask for a

release from custody in order to be able to defend myself because I want to represent myself.” The

defendant argues that after the defendant made that statement, the circuit court should have

inquired whether the request was made knowingly and intelligently. Then, the defendant should

have been allowed to proceed pro se based on the circuit court’s determination of whether the

defendant waived his right to counsel. The defendant further argues that the circuit court pressed

until the defendant agreed to have an attorney appointed.

¶ 25 The defendant’s statement that he wanted to represent himself was couched in a request for

a bond reduction. The circuit court addressed the bond reduction issue before addressing the

defendant’s statement that he wanted to defend himself. The defendant was given the opportunity

to proceed with his pro se motion to reduce bond and the circuit court ruled against the defendant.

After the court denied the motion for bond reduction, it turned to the issue of whether the defendant

wished to waive his right to counsel.

¶ 26 The circuit court proceeded by asking the defendant whether the defendant wished to have

an appointed attorney. The defendant, however, did not respond that he wished to represent

8 himself, rather, he continued to argue for reduction of his bond. After asking the defendant twice,

without receiving a response regarding the appointment of counsel, the circuit court stated: “Let

me ask you one final time; do you want me to appoint an attorney to represent you?” The defendant

responded: “Yes, I would, but at this present time with me representing myself, I understand that

you’re saying that you’re wanting to leave the bond as it is. I’m asking you, please, Your Honor.”

¶ 27 When considering the context of the hearing, the defendant did not make a clear and

unequivocal request for self-representation. It appeared that the defendant wished to make an

argument for a bond reduction while he was pro se. Regardless of whether the defendant’s

statement to represent himself was clear, the defendant clearly stated that he wanted an attorney to

be appointed to represent him. He acquiesced to having counsel appointed. We also note that the

defendant apologized to the circuit court during the November 15, 2021, hearing, for his behavior

during the November 8, 2021, hearing. The defendant did not make a request to proceed pro se

during the November 15, 2021, hearing, and he proceeded with counsel to enter into a plea

agreement.

¶ 28 Accordingly, we find that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion where the

defendant’s request for self-representation was not clear and unequivocal and where the defendant

acquiesced to the appointment of counsel.

¶ 29 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 30 For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Coles County.

¶ 31 Affirmed.