People v. Ruffin

2026 IL App (4th) 251269-U

• Court: Appellate Court of Illinois
• Decided: February 25, 2026
• Docket: 4-25-1269
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

NOTICE 2026 IL App (4th) 251269-U This Order was filed under FILED Supreme Court Rule 23 and is February 25, 2026 NO. 4-25-1269 not precedent except in the Carla Bender limited circumstances allowed 4th District Appellate under Rule 23(e)(1). IN THE APPELLATE COURT Court, IL

OF ILLINOIS

FOURTH DISTRICT

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Circuit Court of v. ) Livingston County MICHAEL L. RUFFIN, ) No. 25CF263 Defendant-Appellant. ) ) Honorable ) Jennifer H. Bauknecht, ) Judge Presiding.

JUSTICE GRISCHOW delivered the judgment of the court. Justices Cavanagh and Harris concurred in the judgment.

ORDER

¶1 Held: The appellate court affirmed the trial court’s order denying defendant pretrial release, holding (1) defendant waived his claim that the State failed to prove a qualifying relationship for domestic battery by not raising it in his motion for relief but, notwithstanding waiver, the State proved by clear and convincing evidence defendant committed a detainable offense and (2) the State proved by clear and convincing evidence there were no less-restrictive means other than pretrial detention to mitigate the threat posed by defendant to the victim and others.

¶2 Defendant, Michael L. Ruffin, appeals the trial court’s order denying his pretrial

release pursuant to article 110 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (Code) (725 ILCS

5/art.110 (West 2024)). Defendant argues the trial court erred in finding the State proved by clear

and convincing evidence (1) he committed a detainable offense and (2) no condition or

combination of conditions would mitigate the threat he posed to the victim or the community.

We affirm. ¶3 I. BACKGROUND

¶4 On October 23, 2025, defendant was charged by information with one count of

domestic battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.2(a)(2) (West 2024)), one count of aggravated battery (id.

§ 12-3.05(d)(2)), and one count of obstructing a peace officer (id. § 31-1(a)) for an incident that

occurred between defendant and the victim, Ashley Brown. On the same day, the State filed a

verified petition to deny defendant pretrial release, alleging the proof was evident and

presumption great defendant committed a detainable offense, domestic battery, and his pretrial

release posed a real and present threat to the safety of others. See 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(a)(4)

(West 2024).

¶5 A pretrial investigation report was filed, which provided defendant lives in

Bloomington, Illinois, with his brother, where he had resided for five months. Defendant has

three children. One son lives with his mother, but defendant sees him often. The other two

children are currently in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, but

defendant wants to seek custody. At the time of the offense, defendant was employed full-time,

and he relies on that income to provide financially for himself and his children. The report

indicated defendant was not currently in a relationship with Brown and he would have no

problem refraining from contacting her. Defendant’s criminal history includes 26 criminal

convictions, 5 of which were felonies. At the time of the instant offense, defendant was on

mandatory supervised release (MSR) following sentences in the Illinois Department of

Corrections for felony convictions in two separate cases. Those convictions were for domestic

battery and unlawful restraint. Defendant scored 5 out of a possible 14 on the Virginia Pretrial

Risk Assessment Instrument-Revised, which placed him at a risk level of 3 on a scale of 1 to 6.

Defendant scored a 7+ out of a possible 13 on the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment

-2- (ODARA). The ODARA predicts 74% of individuals with defendant’s score will commit an act

of domestic violence within five years.

¶6 At the hearing on the motion to detain, the State proffered the following facts in

support of the information. On October 22, 2025, Brown contacted law enforcement while at

County Market, stating defendant put his hands on her and grabbed her by the shirt multiple

times, despite her yelling at him to let her go. During the call, an officer could hear Brown

yelling, “[L]et me go,” multiple times to defendant and defendant yelling at Brown. Brown fled

from defendant and waited in the restroom for law enforcement officers. Brown and defendant

both stated they had been in a sexual relationship, and Brown stated she and defendant had been

in a relationship on and off for approximately one year. Defendant was aware Brown was

currently pregnant. The State also presented a document entitled “[Office of Statewide Pretrial

Services (OSPS)] Proffer Outline,” detailing the pretrial services offered in Livingston County.

¶7 The State argued the proof was evident and presumption great that defendant

committed the offense of domestic battery based upon the proffered facts. Defendant grabbed

Brown several times and yelled at her, and defendant had made threats to Brown in the past. The

State further argued defendant posed a real and present threat to Brown and other persons in the

community. Defendant had a pattern of domestic abuse and was likely to reoffend, as evidenced

by his prior convictions and his ODARA score. During the incident, defendant ran away from

law enforcement officers, and officers had to use a Taser to effect defendant’s arrest. Finally, the

State argued there was no condition or combination of conditions that would mitigate the threat

defendant posed. Defendant was on MSR at the time of the offense, so he was already being

monitored by a state agency. Based upon defendant’s criminal history, his conduct at the time of

-3- his arrest, and his conduct while on MSR, he was unlikely to comply with any conditions of his

release.

¶8 Defense counsel argued defendant did not pose a real and present threat to

anyone’s safety that could not be mitigated by conditions imposed by the trial court. The State

did not allege defendant threatened or caused bodily harm to Brown or that there was a weapon

involved. As defendant lived in a different city than Brown, electronic monitoring would be

effective to ensure defendant would have no further contact with Brown. Then, defendant could

maintain his employment and continue to support his children.

¶9 After hearing argument, the trial court granted the State’s motion to deny

defendant’s pretrial release. The court determined the proof was evident and the presumption

great that defendant committed a qualifying offense for which he was statutorily eligible for

detention under the dangerousness standard. The court noted the offenses involved acts of

violence, even though no bodily harm was alleged. It found Brown’s allegations were

corroborated by law enforcement officers. After considering the statutory factors, the court

determined defendant should be denied pretrial release because he posed a real and present threat

to the safety of Brown and other persons in the community and there were no pretrial conditions

that would adequately mitigate this threat. In reaching that conclusion, the court noted

defendant’s lengthy criminal record, which included prior violent offenses, and the fact

defendant was on MSR, specifically for domestic battery convictions, when he committed the

instant offense. Although defendant lived in Bloomington, he had lengthy ties to Livingston

County, as evidenced by his prior record. The court considered the condition of ordering

additional supervision for defendant by OSPS, referring to the OSPS proffer outline indicating

OSPS will meet with and supervise defendants on pretrial release as ordered by the court. The

-4- court asked the State to clarify which office would supervise defendant, and the State informed

the court it would be the OSPS office where defendant resided, in McLean County. The court

expressed concern that OSPS would be limited to reporting any violations. Ultimately, the court

concluded additional supervision by OSPS would not mitigate the threat, as defendant was

already subject to MSR monitoring and conditions when he committed the instant crime. The

court also considered imposing treatment conditions, such as anger management or domestic

violence treatment, but it believed those conditions would not mitigate the threat. Lastly, the

court considered placing defendant on home confinement or electronic monitoring. The court

rejected that option because it did not believe such monitoring would mitigate the threat of

defendant committing another crime, either against Brown or another victim.

¶ 10 On November 14, 2025, defendant filed an “[Illinois] Supreme Court Rule

604(h)(2) [(eff. Apr. 15, 2024)] Motion for Relief,” arguing there were less-restrictive conditions

that would avoid a real and present threat to the safety of others.. Defendant also argued the State

failed to show he committed a detainable offense because there was no physical evidence to

corroborate Brown’s version of events. The trial court denied the motion.

¶ 11 This appeal followed.

¶ 12 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 13 On appeal, defendant argues the trial court erred in finding the State proved by

clear and convincing evidence (1) the proof was evident or the presumption great defendant

committed a detainable offense and (2) no condition or combination of conditions would

mitigate the threat he posed to the community.

¶ 14 Under section 110-6.1(e) of the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(e) (West 2024)), it is

presumed all criminal defendants are entitled to pretrial release. The State may petition to

-5- overcome this presumption for a defendant charged with a detainable offense as enumerated in

the statute. Id. § 110-6.1(a). The Code provisions applicable in this case required the State to

prove by clear and convincing evidence (1) “the proof is evident or the presumption great that

the defendant committed [a detainable] offense”, (2) the defendant’s release would pose “a real

and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community, based on the specific

articulable facts of the case”, and (3) no condition or combination of conditions would mitigate

that safety threat. Id. §§ 110-2(b), 110-6.1(a)(4), (e)(1)-(3). When the parties proceed by proffer

at a pretrial detention hearing, as in this case, our review is de novo. People v. Morgan, 2025 IL

130626, ¶ 54.

¶ 15 A. Proof of a Detainable Offense

¶ 16 Defendant first contends the State failed to prove by clear and convincing

evidence that the proof was evident or presumption great that he committed the offense of

domestic battery because the State failed to prove defendant and Brown were in a qualifying

relationship. It is undisputed that domestic battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.2(a)(2) (West 2024)) is a

detainable offense. See 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(a)(4) (West 2024). Conversely, a charge of

aggravated battery based on the status of the victim, not resulting in great bodily harm or

permanent disability or disfigurement, is not a detainable offense enumerated in the statute. See

id. § 6.1(a).

¶ 17 As charged here, a defendant commits domestic battery when he knowingly,

without legal justification, “[m]akes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with

any family or household member.” 720 ILCS 5/12-3.2(a)(2) (West 2024). The legislature has

defined family or household members to

“include spouses, former spouses, parents, children, stepchildren, and other

-6- persons related by blood or by present or prior marriage, persons who share or

formerly shared a common dwelling, persons who have or allegedly have a child

in common, persons who share or allegedly share a blood relationship through a

child, persons who have or have had a dating or engagement relationship, persons

with disabilities and their personal assistants, and caregivers as defined in Section

12-4.4a of this Code [(720 ILCS 5/12-4.4a (West 2024))]. For purposes of this

Article, neither a casual acquaintanceship nor ordinary fraternization between 2

individuals in business or social contexts shall be deemed to constitute a dating

relationship.” Id. § 12-0.1.

Defendant argues his relationship with Brown was only sexual in nature and the State failed to

prove he and Brown were in a dating or engagement relationship. See People v. Howard, 2012

IL App (3d) 100925, ¶ 10 (holding that proof the defendant and victim had numerous sexual

encounters was not sufficient to show a dating relationship).

¶ 18 The State argues defendant waived this argument by not raising it during the

hearing on the petition to detain or in his motion for relief filed pursuant to Rule 604(h)(2).

While defendant argued in his motion for relief the State failed to show he committed a

detainable offense, his challenge was there was no physical evidence to corroborate Brown’s

version of events. Defendant never challenged the status of his relationship with Brown in the

trial court. Notwithstanding the waiver, the State argues the court’s decision is supported by the

record.

¶ 19 Rule 604(h)(1)(iii) provides a defendant may appeal an order denying pretrial

release. The rule further provides:

“As a prerequisite to appeal, the party taking the appeal shall first present to the

-7- trial court a written motion requesting the same relief to be sought on appeal and

the grounds for such relief. The trial court shall promptly hear and decide the

motion for relief. Upon appeal, any issue not raised in the motion for relief, other

than errors occurring for the first time at the hearing on the motion for relief, shall

be deemed waived.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(2) (eff. Apr. 15, 2024).

¶ 20 Here, after being denied pretrial release, defendant filed his “Supreme Court Rule

604(h)(2) Motion for Relief.” In that motion, defendant argued he was entitled to pretrial release

because there were less-restrictive conditions that would mitigate any threat he posed to Brown

or others. Defendant also asserted the State failed to present any physical evidence to corroborate

Brown’s version of events, so it failed to meet its burden of showing the proof was evident and

presumption great that he committed a qualifying offense. Here, defendant adds a new assertion,

specifically, the State failed to show he and Brown were in a qualifying relationship for purposes

of a domestic battery charge. As this issue was not raised in defendant’s motion for relief, it is

waived. See id.; see also People v. Nettles, 2024 IL App (4th) 240962, ¶ 33 (“[T]he language in

Rule 604(h)(2) is clear that we are to consider waived any arguments not advanced in the motion

for relief.”).

¶ 21 Even if we were to broadly construe defendant’s motion for relief to include

defendant’s argument advanced on appeal, the trial court’s conclusion the State met its burden of

showing defendant committed a detainable offense is supported by the record. The State’s

proffer included Brown’s statement she and defendant had been in a relationship on and off for

approximately one year, in addition to statements by both Brown and defendant that they had

been in a sexual relationship. The proffer provided clear and convincing evidence of a qualifying

relationship, sufficient to meet the State’s burden of showing defendant committed a detainable

-8- offense. See 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(f)(2) (West 2024) (“The State or defendant may present

evidence at the hearing by way of proffer based upon reliable information.”); see also People v.

Allen, 2020 IL App (2d) 180473, ¶ 21 (holding a dating relationship for purposes of the domestic

violence statute requires proof of an established relationship with a significant romantic focus

but that can encompass relationships that are mainly sexual).

¶ 22 B. Conditions of Release to Mitigate the Safety Threat

¶ 23 Defendant also argues the trial court erred in determining the State proved by

clear and convincing evidence there existed no condition or combination of conditions to

mitigate any safety threat defendant posed to any person or the community. We disagree.

¶ 24 As noted above, under the Code, it is presumed all criminal defendants are

entitled to pretrial release on personal recognizance, subject to certain conditions. People v.

Popovich, 2025 IL App (4th) 250196, ¶ 19. Thus, a finding of dangerousness alone does not

automatically warrant pretrial detention. Id. “Instead, the trial court must determine, based on the

specific facts of the case and the defendant’s individual background and characteristics, whether

any combination of conditions can mitigate the threat and allow the defendant’s release.” People

v. Atterberry, 2023 IL App (4th) 231028, ¶ 18.

¶ 25 Section 110-5(a) of the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-5(a) (West 2024)) sets forth a

nonexhaustive list of factors the trial court is to consider in determining which conditions of

pretrial release, if any, will reasonably ensure the safety of others and the likelihood of a

defendant’s compliance with any conditions of pretrial release. Relevant here, the court is to

consider (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, (2) the weight of the evidence

against the defendant, (3) the history and characteristics of the defendant, and (4) the nature and

seriousness of the real and present threat to the safety of the community, based on the specific

-9- articulable facts of the case, which would be posed by the defendant’s release. Id. § 110-5(a)(1)-

(4). Also, where, as here, a defendant is charged with domestic battery, the court may consider

additional factors, including whether the defendant has a history of domestic violence and has

been, or is, potentially a threat to any other person. Id. § 110-5(a)(6).

¶ 26 We find the trial court did not err in determining no condition or combination of

conditions of pretrial release would mitigate the threat posed by defendant based on the specific,

articulable facts of this case. The evidence presented by the State showed defendant had a history

of felony convictions, which includes prior convictions for domestic battery and unlawful

restraint. Defendant’s ODARA score indicates he has a high likelihood of reoffending if given

the opportunity. Defendant was already subject to MSR monitoring and conditions for prior

convictions for domestic battery when he committed the instant crime. The court considered, and

rejected, treatment conditions such as anger management or domestic violence treatment,

believing those conditions would not adequately mitigate the threat. The court also considered

and rejected placing defendant on home confinement or electronic monitoring, finding such

monitoring would also not mitigate the threat of defendant committing another crime, either

against Brown or another victim.

¶ 27 We acknowledge the trial court’s expressed concern that OSPS could not

meaningfully monitor defendant, and we reiterate “a court should not rule out pretrial release for

a defendant based on a general perception that conditions of release are loosely monitored.”

Atterberry, 2023 IL App (4th) 231028, ¶ 18. However, despite any impact of that concern on the

trial court’s decision, based on the specific, articulable facts in this case, we agree the State

proved by clear and convincing evidence that further reporting requirements, electronic

monitoring, or other restrictions on defendant’s movement or conduct would not be sufficient to

- 10 - mitigate the threat to the safety of Brown or others. Thus, we affirm the trial court’s decision that

there exists no condition or combination of conditions that would adequately mitigate the threat

posed by defendant’s pretrial release in this case.

¶ 28 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 29 For the reasons stated, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

¶ 30 Affirmed.

- 11 -