In re Raheem M. ( 2014 )

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
Appellate Court
In re Raheem M., 2013 IL App (4th) 130585
Appellate Court In re: RAHEEM M., a Minor, THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
Caption ILLINOIS, Petitioner-Appellee, v. RAHEEM M., Respondent-Appellant.
District & No. Fourth District
Docket No. 4-13-0585
Filed December 10, 2013
Held The adjudication of delinquency entered against respondent based on
(Note: This syllabus findings that he was guilty of aggravated battery of a teacher and
constitutes no part of disorderly conduct was affirmed by the appellate court, but his sentence
the opinion of the court to the Department of Juvenile Justice and the fines imposed were vacated
but has been prepared and the cause was remanded for a new sentencing hearing, since the
by the Reporter of evidence was sufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the
Decisions for the teacher involved in a disturbance in the school cafeteria suffered bodily
convenience of the harm as a result of respondent’s battery, but the trial court failed to
reader.)
comply with the statutory requirement that alternatives to confinement be
considered before sentencing respondent to the DOJJ.
Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Vermilion County, No. 12-JD-185; the
Review Hon. Claudia S. Anderson, Judge, presiding.
Judgment Affirmed in part and vacated in part; cause remanded with directions.
Counsel on Michael J. Pelletier, Karen Munoz, and Arden J. Lang (argued), all of
Appeal State Appellate Defender’s Office, of Springfield, for appellant.
Randall Brinegar, State’s Attorney, of Danville (Patrick Delfino, Robert
J. Biderman, and Anastacia R. Brooks (argued), all of State’s Attorneys
Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.
Panel JUSTICE POPE delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justice Holder White concurred in the judgment and opinion.
Justice Steigmann dissented, with opinion.
OPINION
¶1 In April 2013, the trial court found respondent, Raheem M. (born October 19, 1995),
guilty of aggravated battery of a teacher (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(d)(3) (West 2012)) and
disorderly conduct (720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(1) (West 2012)). In May 2013, the court sentenced
respondent to an indeterminate term in the Department of Juvenile Justice (DOJJ).
Respondent appeals, arguing the following: (1) the State’s charge of aggravated battery of
a teacher was fatally defective because it failed to specify the manner of battery upon which
it was predicated, thereby failing to apprise respondent of the precise offense charged with
enough specificity to prepare his defense and, if convicted, avoid a future prosecution for the
same conduct; (2) the State failed to prove respondent guilty of aggravated battery of a
teacher beyond a reasonable doubt; (3) respondent’s sentence to the DOJJ must be vacated
because of several sentencing errors; and (4) the fines assessed against respondent must be
vacated because neither the circuit clerk nor the trial court was authorized to assess fines
against respondent in this juvenile proceeding. We affirm respondent’s adjudication of
delinquency, vacate his sentence and the fines imposed, and remand for a new sentencing
hearing.
¶2 I. BACKGROUND
¶3 On October 18, 2012, the State filed a petition for adjudication of delinquency against
respondent. The fact sheet attached to the petition included two counts. Count I charged
respondent with aggravated battery of a teacher in violation of section 12-3.05(d)(3) of the
Criminal Code of 2012 (Criminal Code) (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(d)(3) (West 2012)). Count II
charged respondent with disorderly conduct in violation of section 26-1(a)(1) of the Criminal
Code (720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(1) (West 2012)).
¶4 The trial court held a hearing on the petition in April 2013. Robert McGuire testified he
worked as a hall monitor at Danville High School. A fight occurred in the school cafeteria
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on September 10, 2012, at approximately 11:20 a.m. McGuire was stationed in the middle
of the cafeteria. The fight started when two male students had a verbal altercation. Less than
a minute after the two students were separated, seven to nine young men went to the other
side of the cafeteria and a brawl began. McGuire grabbed one of those students and shielded
him from chairs being thrown at the young man. The chairs were thrown about 20 to 30 feet.
It took approximately 12 minutes to get everyone under control and the cafeteria back to
normal. The actual fight did not last that long.
¶5 McGuire testified he was struck two to four times by the chairs on his midsection and
lower body. He saw respondent, whom he identified in court, throw at least one of the chairs
that struck him. When asked whether he suffered any injuries, McGuire stated he was not cut
and probably had minor bruises. He knew respondent from seeing him around the school, but
he had never had any type of problem with him before.
¶6 Larry Withers testified he also works as a hall monitor at Danville High School. During
the lunch period, Withers told Officer Weaver they probably were going to have some
problems in the cafeteria because the students were hollering at each other across the
lunchroom. When he reentered the student cafeteria, the fight broke out. There were about
six or seven students involved. Two students were punching each other, and Withers grabbed
one of them and put him against the wall. He did not see who threw the chairs at McGuire.
According to Withers, respondent was in the middle of the brawl.
¶7 Thomas Lane testified he is a hall monitor at Danville High School. He entered the
student cafeteria in time to see respondent throwing a chair. Lane was about 30 feet away
from respondent when he saw respondent throw the chair. Respondent threw one of several
chairs that were thrown.
¶8 Officer Doug Weaver, a Danville police officer assigned to the high school, testified he
entered the student cafeteria after he became aware of the fight and only saw another student,
Maurice H., throw a chair. Respondent was with Maurice H. when they started running
toward the opposite end of the cafeteria. Weaver was able to catch up with respondent and
Maurice H. He took respondent and Maurice H. to the public safety building.
¶9 Respondent testified on his own behalf. According to respondent, on the day of the
incident, one of the other students in the brawl had an altercation with one of respondent’s
friends in the hallway. As to what happened in the cafeteria, respondent testified:
“I was in the lunch line, and I noticed that one of the persons that was in the incident
had struck my friend with a chair. Then I ran over there; and as I ran, one of them threw
a chair at me. Then I threw one back, and I guess it hit whoever his name.”
¶ 10 The trial court found respondent guilty on both counts. The court stated:
“Now, the problem that I have at this point is that I have a Class 3 felony and, of course,
a Class A misdemeanor. But naturally I’m concerned about the Class 3 felony; and I’m
interested in some things that I might be able to get ahead of sentencing which would,
to a large degree, include [a] record of incidents that had occurred at Danville High
School ***.”
The court, sua sponte, ordered respondent detained, finding his detention a matter of
immediate and urgent necessity and in the best interest of the public and the minor, despite
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no request by the State to do so and despite the fact respondent had been free since the
incident occurred seven months earlier. Further, respondent was scheduled to take his general
equivalency degree (GED) exam May 14 and 15, but as a result of his detention he was
unable to do so.
¶ 11 On May 28, 2013, the trial court held a sentencing hearing. The court noted it had
reviewed a social history report in the case dated May 22, 2013. Respondent told the court,
“I would like to say I’m sorry for the incident that was caused in September, and if I was to
be released, that I would get right, start working towards my GED that I got scheduled in
June.”
¶ 12 The State recommended respondent be sentenced to an indeterminate term in the DOJJ,
noting the case involved a battery to a teacher, a Class 3 felony, and this was not his first
incident at school. Defense counsel noted while respondent had a number of police contacts,
he had never been charged with a criminal offense. He had no prior time in the DOJJ and had
done rather well with school at the juvenile detention facility. Counsel noted of the
codefendants: one received probation, one received supervision, and three had their cases
dismissed. Defense counsel also noted respondent did not have a perfect report at juvenile
detention. In addition, defense counsel stated:
“Clearly, this young man has the potential to do well. He has some high risk factors. I
think that his biological father would demonstrate that. [The biological father’s] got a
lengthy criminal history, and I think there is some significant danger for this young man
to follow in his father’s footsteps. If you send him to the Department of Corrections, I
think you’ll almost seal the deal that he’s going to follow his father’s example rather than
his stepfather’s example, and I think that would be a tragedy. If, on the other hand, you
place him in a community based sentence, and order that he [get] his GED, order that he
maybe get into some counseling to deal with some of the issues that, you know, clearly
he has as reflected, I think in particular in his detention report, he could probably stand
to have some counseling to deal with maybe some issues that he has with adults so that
he can learn to react more positively, and I think he is balanced on a cliff right now, and
he can either go over that cliff and have a life where he’s locked up the majority of his
adult life, or he can find a new path here. And at 17, he’s at a very vulnerable age. I
would strongly suggest that the solution for him, the only chance he has of turning his
life around really at this point is a chance at probation.”
¶ 13 The trial court said it had reviewed respondent’s student discipline report covering
incidents between September 7, 2010, and September 10, 2012, which was attached to his
presentence report. The court noted “the incidents and the events that occur[red] illustrate
*** quite poetically the state of the minor, which is an attitude of aggression, an attitude of
refusal to show respect to the people who are in authority over him, and not only that, but
refusal to show respect to his fellow students.” The court found it somewhat astonishing it
appeared respondent was capable of earning A’s and B’s in school. However, the court noted
respondent’s behavior had interrupted his ability to maintain an acceptable grade point
average and to get an education.
¶ 14 The trial court stated respondent’s mother had a clean record and appeared to be making
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the best effort she could with respect to respondent. However, respondent’s biological father
had two pages of criminal convictions, including aggravated assaults, aggravated batteries,
and an aggravated battery to a police officer. (The biological father’s entire criminal history
was set forth in the social history report.) The court told respondent, “So, maybe some
modification of your mind-set needs to take place, because you think that’s okay, and it’s not.
It’s not okay.” The court also noted respondent had various contacts and issues with local
police. However, the court acknowledged none of those contacts were convictions and stated
it was not placing much weight on those contacts. However, based on those contacts and the
information from Danville High School, the court stated it did not have much hope a
community-based sentence would be appropriate. The court went on:
“I agree the Court is to try to look at some alternative that would allow the minor to
be in a less confined circumstance as a result of his offenses. I don’t know that that’s
possible when you have someone like this. I also think there’s a value to a deterrence
message to people in this community. You do not go to school and end up in a brawl
which results in teachers being battered. That’s just not acceptable. It’s not done. And it’s
not going to be something that we’re going to accept at Danville High School or any
other school in Vermilion County, to be quite frank. So, from my point of view, the best
interest of the public, as well as the minor, is to make him a ward of the Court, sentence
him to the Illinois Department of Corrections [sic] for an indeterminate amount of time,
not to exceed the maximum of the offense of the Class 3, or his age 21, whichever first
occurs.”
However, respondent’s social history report confirmed defense counsel’s representation that
the other juveniles charged for their involvement in the brawl received significantly less
harsh punishments, if they were punished at all. Savion C. was placed on six months of
probation (case No. 12-JD-182). Trenton J. was placed on 12 months of supervision (case
No. 12-JD-188). JoeVionte S. (case No. 12-JD-183), Jermaine W. (case No. 12-JD-184), and
Terrance T. (case No. 12-JD-187) all had their cases dismissed. We also note “Mr. [H.],”
whom McGuire also indicated threw chairs that hit him, was not listed on the social history
report as being charged. In addition, the social history report does not show any assessments
or evaluations were done of the minor prior to sentencing.
¶ 15 On June 11, 2013, respondent filed an amended motion to reconsider sentence. On July
8, 2013, the trial court held a hearing on the amended motion to reconsider sentence.
Respondent’s trial counsel asked the trial court to “take into consideration some of the
factors that we were not able to present at the sentencing hearing since I myself was not
personally present.” The amended motion stated respondent’s trial counsel was unavailable
to attend the sentencing hearing because of illness, and the attorney who appeared on behalf
of respondent at the hearing was not fully apprised of all of the facts in the case, “including
possible factors in mitigation or custodial alternatives.”
¶ 16 Respondent’s counsel also told the trial court a custodian for respondent had been
identified. Kenneth Porter, a minister at New Jerusalem Church of Christ and respondent’s
uncle, testified he would be willing to have respondent reside with him if respondent was
placed on probation and would be able to provide for respondent. Porter testified part of his
ministry was to teach young people about changing their mind-set about life. He also stated
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he could ensure respondent took part in activities at his church and at the local Young Men’s
Christian Association (YMCA), where his family belonged.
¶ 17 In addition, Porter testified he thought respondent would listen to him and follow his
rules based on his past experience with respondent. He also believed he could keep
respondent apart from his peer group. When asked what would happen if respondent did not
follow his rules or the rules set out by the court, Porter stated he would call the probation
office and let them know what respondent was doing. According to Porter, “I’m not gonna
hold back anything or be a person that’s gonna agree to a lot of going against the law and all
that old junk, I’m not gonna get myself in that.”
¶ 18 Respondent testified he had been in the DOJJ for two months. At that time, he was in a
“well-behaved unit.” Respondent’s counsel told the trial court she independently confirmed
respondent was being housed in a “step[-]down unit.”
¶ 19 Respondent’s counsel asked the trial court to vacate the DOJJ sentence and place
respondent on probation with whatever terms and conditions the court believed would be in
respondent’s best interests and the best interests of the community. The State asked the court
to maintain its previous ruling.
¶ 20 The trial court then stated:
“[E]ach case has to be looked at on its own. And the thing that disturbed me is
aggravated battery in a school setting. I guess it’s hard for me to understand that when
you go to school you’re there for a reason. It’s like you go to church for a reason, you go
to school for a reason. And the fact that we only had one case addressing that kind of
behavior is kind of miraculous when you look at the attachment to the presentence report,
the last page starting with an offense of 9/7/10 at Danville High School and then they just
work their way up each page. So all through 2010, all through 2011, 2012 and up to 2013
this young man is showing absolute and total disrespect to the people at Danville High
School. Was in altercations that they didn’t call the police on. Refused to follow
directions. Refused to show even a little bit of respect for those in authority, and refused
to comply basically with the rules and regulations of the school. So do I think that he’s
gonna all of a sudden come back and live with this lovely gentleman and become a law-
abiding citizen. No. And with all due respect, where were you before, sir, [while] this has
been going on.”
The court then stated it believed respondent needed to remain a ward of the court and remain
in the DOJJ “for as long as they’re willing to keep him.” According to the court, “If [the
DOJJ] think[s] he’s doing so great I’m sure they’ll release him soon because that’s normally
what we see, in any event, and I still do not believe that a community[-]based sentence is in
the best interests of the public or the minor.”
¶ 21 This appeal followed.
¶ 22 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 23 A. Charging Instrument
¶ 24 Respondent first argues the petition for wardship was inadequate because it did not
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sufficiently inform respondent of the “precise offense charged so as to allow preparation of
a defense and to be a bar to future prosecution arising out of the same conduct.” Respondent
acknowledges he did not challenge the charging instrument in the trial court.
“When the sufficiency of the charging instrument is attacked in a pretrial motion, the
standard of review is to determine whether the instrument strictly complies with the
requirements of section 111-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 [(Code)] (Ill.
Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 38, par. 111-3(a)). [Citation.] Contrarily, when, as here, the
sufficiency of a charging instrument is attacked for the first time on appeal, the standard
of review is more liberal. In such a case, it is sufficient that the indictment apprised the
accused of the precise offense charged with enough specificity to (1) allow preparation
of his defense and (2) allow pleading a resulting conviction as a bar to future prosecution
arising out of the same conduct.” (Emphasis in original.) People v. DiLorenzo, 169 Ill.
2d 318, 321-22, 662 N.E.2d 412, 413-14 (1996).
We need not determine whether the charging instrument could have survived a pretrial
motion to dismiss “or even whether its form tracks precisely the provisions of section 111-3
[of the Code].” DiLorenzo, 169 Ill. 2d at 323, 662 N.E.2d at 414; see 725 ILCS 5/111-3
(West 2012).
¶ 25 The petition and attached fact sheet in question in this case were sufficient to apprise
respondent of the precise offense charged with enough specificity to allow him to prepare a
defense. Count I of the petition for adjudication alleged in pertinent part:
“COUNT I–AGGRAVATED BATTERY–TEACHER–CLASS 3
On or about September 10, 2012, in Vermilion County, State of Illinois, Raheem
[M.], in committing a Battery, knew the individual harmed, Robert McGuire, to be a
teacher or other person employed in any school and such teacher or other employee was
upon the grounds of a school ***, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(d)(3) [(West
2012)].”
Count II charged respondent with disorderly conduct, alleging on September 10, 2012,
defendant threw “chairs in the cafeteria” and attempted to fight other students in such an
unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb Thomas Lane, Larry Withers, and Robert
McGuire and to provoke a breach of the peace in violation of section 26-1 of the Criminal
Code (720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(1) (West 2012)).
¶ 26 We agree with the State respondent’s reliance on People v. Lutz, 73 Ill. 2d 204, 383
N.E.2d 171 (1978), is misplaced because the defendant in that case filed a motion in arrest
of judgment pursuant to section 116-2 of the Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 38, ¶ 116-2) in
the trial court challenging the sufficiency of the indictment. At that time, section 116-2
stated:
“(a) A written motion in arrest of judgment shall be filed by the defendant within 30 days
following the entry of a verdict or finding of guilty. Reasonable notice of the motion shall
be served upon the State.
(b) The court shall grant the motion when:
(1) The indictment, information or complaint does not charge an offense, or
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(2) The court is without jurisdiction of the cause.” Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 38,
¶ 116-2.
The supreme court noted, “ ‘No similar statutory provision was made for nonwaiver at the
appellate level ***.’ ” Lutz, 73 Ill. 2d at 210, 383 N.E.2d at 173 (quoting People v. Gilmore,
63 Ill. 2d 23, 28, 344 N.E.2d 456, 459 (1976)). In addition, after Lutz was decided, section
116-2 was amended to include a subsection (c), which states:
“A motion in arrest of judgment attacking the indictment, information, or complaint on
the ground that it does not charge an offense shall be denied if the indictment,
information or complaint apprised the accused of the precise offense charged with
sufficient specificity to prepare his defense and allow pleading a resulting conviction as
a bar to future prosecution out of the same conduct.” 725 ILCS 5/116-2(c) (West 2012).
This language tracks the standard courts of review use when a defendant attacks the
sufficiency of a charging instrument for the first time on appeal.
¶ 27 Respondent also relies in part on People v. Hale, 77 Ill. 2d 114, 395 N.E.2d 929 (1979),
People v. Gerdes, 173 Ill. App. 3d 1024, 527 N.E.2d 1310 (1988), and People v. Veile, 109
Ill. App. 3d 847, 441 N.E.2d 149 (1982). However, the defendant in Hale filed a motion to
dismiss on the ground the information was insufficient to state the offense of aggravated
battery. Hale, 77 Ill. 2d at 115, 395 N.E.2d at 930. The defendant in Gerdes also filed a
motion to dismiss the information in that case because it failed to state an offense. Gerdes,
173 Ill. App. 3d at 1026, 527 N.E.2d at 1312. The defendant in Veile did not attack the
specificity of the charging instrument. Instead, the defendant’s “chief contention [was] that
the State failed to prove bodily harm in the simple battery which was the predicate for
aggravated battery.” Veile, 109 Ill. App. 3d at 848, 441 N.E.2d at 150. None of these cases
assist respondent in establishing the charges in this case were not sufficient to allow him to
prepare a defense.
¶ 28 Respondent acknowledges the charging instrument was not attacked in the trial court and
this court must determine whether he was prejudiced in the preparation of his defense as a
result of the way the charge was drafted. People v. Thingvold, 145 Ill. 2d 441, 448, 584
N.E.2d 89, 91 (1991).
¶ 29 From the trial transcript, it is clear respondent and his attorney were aware the basis of
the charge was the throwing of a chair during the lunchroom brawl. Respondent admitted
throwing a chair. However, respondent chose to argue the chair he threw did not hit
McGuire. He did not argue lack of bodily harm. As a result, defendant was not prejudiced
by the less-than-perfect charging instrument in establishing a defense to the charges in this
case.
¶ 30 Respondent also argued the allegations in the petition were not sufficient to bar a future
prosecution for the same actions. According to respondent, “Due to the inadequacy of the
charge, nothing bars retrial for battery on any theory and for any contact or harm without
lawful authority with Robert McGuire on September 10, 2013 [sic], in Vermilion County.”
We disagree. A defendant can establish he was already prosecuted on a certain set of facts
by relying on the record in the earlier prosecution. Gilmore, 63 Ill. 2d at 30, 344 N.E.2d at
461. The evidence in the record clearly shows respondent was prosecuted for throwing a
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chair in the Danville High School cafeteria on September 10, 2012. If a second prosecution
were instituted, respondent could assert a defense of double jeopardy.
¶ 31 B. Sufficiency of the Evidence To Convict
¶ 32 Respondent alternatively argues the State failed to establish his guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt of aggravated battery of a teacher. We will reject a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence if any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the charged
offense beyond a reasonable doubt. People v. Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d 92, 114, 871 N.E.2d 728,
740 (2007). An appellate court will not retry a defendant when considering a challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence. Id. The State is given the benefit of all reasonable inferences, and
the evidence is considered in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Id. at 116, 871
N.E.2d at 741.
¶ 33 “The trier of fact is best equipped to judge the credibility of witnesses, and due
consideration must be given to the fact that it was the trial court and jury that saw and heard
the witnesses.” Id. at 114-15, 871 N.E.2d at 740. That being said, “a conviction will be
reversed where the evidence is so unreasonable, improbable, or unsatisfactory that it justifies
a reasonable doubt of defendant’s guilt.” Id. at 115, 871 N.E.2d at 740. Our review “must
include consideration of all of the evidence, not just the evidence convenient to the State’s
theory of the case.” Id. at 117, 871 N.E.2d at 742. However, this does not require “a point-
by-point discussion of every piece of evidence as well as every possible inference that could
be drawn therefrom.” Id.
¶ 34 Respondent first cites People v. Smith, 183 Ill. 2d 425, 431, 701 N.E.2d 1097, 1100
(1998), for the proposition a defendant’s due process rights are violated when he is convicted
for an offense on uncharged facts. In Smith, the State’s felony murder charge did not specify
which armed robbery was the basis for the charge. Id. The armed robbery charge in the case
only referred to the armed robbery of a cash register on the upper floor of a business. Id.
¶ 35 The State argued the attempted armed robbery of a safe could be substituted for the
armed robbery of the cash register as the predicate offense for the felony murder charge. Id.
However, the supreme court disagreed, noting the State did not specifically charge the
attempted robbery of the safe in the indictment and did not discuss the attempted safe
robbery in its closing argument or mention the elements for that offense, instead focusing on
the armed robbery of the cash register. In addition, the jury instructions for felony murder
setting out the elements of armed robbery did not describe an attempted armed robbery of the
safe. Id. “Thus, the jury instructions and the State’s theory of the case demonstrate that the
State believed that the armed robbery that was the predicate offense charged in the felony
murder count was the armed robbery of Dominick Roti, and not the attempted armed robbery
of the safe.” Id.
¶ 36 The case sub judice is distinguishable from Smith because the State has not attempted to
change the basis for the prosecution in this case. The State’s theory of the case was, and still
remains, respondent threw a chair that hit McGuire.
¶ 37 As we stated above, the charging instrument in this case was not well drafted. Further,
neither the State nor defense counsel made an opening statement. Finally, in their closing
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arguments, neither the State nor defense counsel made any kind of argument with regard to
whether the aggravated battery resulted because McGuire suffered bodily harm or because
being hit with the chair constituted physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature. For
example, the State’s argument in its entirety was as follows:
“Yes, Your Honor. I would ask the court find the State has proven Count I and Count
II beyond a reasonable doubt and ask that the court also take note of transferred intent.
It doesn’t matter who [respondent] threw the chair at. He admitted to throwing the chair.
Thank you.”
Defense counsel’s entire argument was as follows:
“Your Honor, I would ask the court take notice of the circumstances under which the
chair was thrown. There was apparently a mob scene that involved several other
individuals. While Mr. McGuire may have been struck by a chair, it was the testimony
of Officer Weaver that he believed another student to be responsible for the chair being
thrown. That was the chair that was observed. I would simply ask the court find the State
has not met its burden.”
In finding respondent guilty, while not specifically stating it was finding respondent caused
McGuire bodily harm, the court did find McGuire “described the injuries that he sustained.”
¶ 38 The State argues the evidence was sufficient to prove McGuire suffered bodily harm
when he was hit by a chair respondent threw in his direction. We agree. As stated earlier, the
evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution.
¶ 39 Respondent concedes “[u]nder the doctrine of transferred intent, [respondent] is
responsible for causing the physical contact between the chair and Robert McGuire if the
chair he threw hit McGuire.” See People v. Dorn, 378 Ill. App. 3d 693, 698-99, 883 N.E.2d
584, 588 (2008). Respondent argues “[b]ecause chairs were thrown by more than one person,
and no one could tell if [respondent’s] chair hit McGuire, physical contact was not proved
beyond a reasonable doubt.” However, this argument overlooks McGuire’s testimony
respondent threw one of the chairs that struck him.
¶ 40 Respondent also argues the State did not establish beyond a reasonable doubt McGuire
was harmed. When asked what specific injuries he recalled suffering, McGuire stated,
“Probably minor bruises but no cuts.” Respondent argues “[t]he use of the word ‘probably’
by McGuire demonstrates that he did not state unconditionally that he had been injured.” We
disagree. Viewing his testimony in the light most favorable to the State, the trier of fact, who
was able to actually hear and see McGuire, could have easily interpreted this testimony to
mean he had bruises, which would probably be characterized as minor, but no cuts. The term
“bodily harm” encompasses even a temporary bruise. See People v. Mays, 91 Ill. 2d 251,
256, 437 N.E.2d 633, 635-36 (1982). We agree with the State the evidence was sufficient to
prove beyond a reasonable doubt McGuire suffered bodily harm from respondent’s battery.
¶ 41 C. Sentencing
¶ 42 Respondent next argues the trial court committed several sentencing errors, requiring his
sentence to the DOJJ be vacated. Respondent makes the following arguments: the court erred
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(1) as a matter of law in sending him to prison without first following the requirements found
in section 5-750 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Juvenile Court Act) (705 ILCS 405/5-
750 (West 2012)); (2) in considering respondent’s police contacts; and (3) in relying on
several improper factors, including a factor inherent in the aggravated battery of a teacher
offense, in sentencing respondent to the DOJJ.
¶ 43 Relying on In re M.W., 232 Ill. 2d 408, 430, 905 N.E.2d 757, 772 (2009), the State argues
respondent forfeited these arguments by failing to adequately raise them in the trial court. In
M.W., our supreme court stated:
“In a criminal case, a defendant forfeits review of a claimed error if she does not
object at trial and does not raise the issue in a posttrial motion. [Citation.] ‘This principle
encourages a defendant to raise issues before the trial court, thereby allowing the court
to correct its errors *** and consequently precluding a defendant from obtaining a
reversal through inaction.’ [Citation.] This same forfeiture principle applies in
proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act [citation], although no postadjudication motion
is required in such cases [citation].” Id.
Other than the blanket statement arguing these claims were forfeited, the only specific
argument on forfeiture made by the State relates to respondent’s acquiescence to the trial
court’s consideration of his police contacts. In his reply brief, respondent “takes issue with
the [S]tate’s general statement that all the respondent’s sentencing arguments are forfeited
because they were not raised ‘adequately below.’ ” The State’s blanket forfeiture argument
is not much help to this court.
¶ 44 We review respondent’s arguments out of turn, first reviewing respondent’s argument
the trial court erred in considering respondent’s prior police contacts. Citing recent
developments in the law affecting juvenile justice, respondent argues:
“Based on reliability concerns, criminal courts have long been prohibited from
considering mere arrests, charges, or police contacts in aggravation at sentencing. At the
same time, however, such evidence has been deemed admissible in delinquency
proceedings. The time has come to reconcile these two conflicting lines of cases and
reject the admissibility of such unreliable evidence in delinquency court–especially in
light of amendments to the [Juvenile Court Act] which both made delinquency
proceedings more criminal in nature and expressly guaranteed juveniles the same or
greater procedural rights as criminal defendants. The trial court in this case improperly
relied on the mere existence of police contacts in committing Raheem [ ]M. to the
DOJJ.”
We disagree. In In re Nathan A.C., 385 Ill. App. 3d 1063, 1077, 904 N.E.2d 112, 123 (2008),
this court stated the trial court is permitted to consider “a number of factors, including prior
arrests, station adjustments or curfew violations, and the social-investigation report when
determining whether commitment is necessary.” Regardless of any forfeiture of this
argument, the trial court did not err in considering respondent’s prior police contacts, as we
continue to adhere to Nathan A.C.
¶ 45 We next consider respondent’s argument the trial court erred as a matter of law in
sending him to the DOJJ without first following the requirements found in section 5-750 of
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the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/5-750 (West 2012)). Section 5-750 states in part:
“[W]hen any delinquent has been adjudged a ward of the court under this Act, the court
may commit him or her to the Department of Juvenile Justice, if it finds that (a) his or
her parents, guardian or legal custodian are unfit or are unable, for some reason other
than financial circumstances alone, to care for, protect, train or discipline the minor, or
are unwilling to do so, and the best interests of the minor and the public will not be
served by placement under Section 5-740, or it is necessary to ensure the protection of
the public from the consequences of criminal activity of the delinquent; and (b)
commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice is the least restrictive alternative
based on evidence that efforts were made to locate less restrictive alternatives to secure
confinement and the reasons why efforts were unsuccessful in locating a less restrictive
alternative to secure confinement.” (Emphasis added.) 705 ILCS 405/5-750(1)(a), (b)
(West 2012).
¶ 46 According to respondent, “the [S]tate presented no evidence whatsoever of efforts to
locate a less restrictive alternative in compliance with [s]ection 5-750(1)(b).” Respondent
argues:
“No evidence was presented about community-based alternatives. The [social
investigation report] did not suggest that anyone had made any investigation into
alternatives. This failure to investigate alternatives violates 705 ILCS 405/5-750(1)(b)
[(West 2012)], which requires at least an effort be made to determine if there are
alternatives to [the] DOJJ. It follows, of course, that in the face of a lack of even a small
effort to locate an alternative, the record is clear as to why those efforts failed.”
¶ 47 We recognize the form sentencing order recites the trial court received and reviewed
evidence concerning efforts to identify a less restrictive alternative to commitment in the
DOJJ. However, the record before this court, which appears to be complete, contains no
evidence regarding efforts to identify a less restrictive alternative to secure confinement,
either in the social history report or at the sentencing hearing. The form sentencing order also
states the court reviewed and considered results of assessments of the minor. However, the
minor was not evaluated or assessed in any manner to determine whether community-based
services could eliminate any perceived need to incarcerate respondent. Last, the form
sentencing order states the court reviewed community-based services provided to the minor
and compliance with and the outcome of those services. However, no services were provided
to the minor, so he had no opportunity to demonstrate compliance.
¶ 48 The State points out the social history report included a section about available
community resources if respondent was sentenced to probation, including substance abuse
treatment at Prairie Center and counseling services at Crosspoint or the Center for Children’s
Services. However, it appears these organizations were never even contacted with regard to
respondent or whether they could serve as an alternative to confinement.
¶ 49 The State also points to the student discipline report attached to the social investigation
report. According to the State’s brief, the trial court determined respondent’s aggressive
attitude and refusal to show respect to authority figures made a community-based sentence
futile. However, the court was not given, nor did it ask for, any evidence regarding efforts
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made to find a less restrictive alternative to secured confinement. Pursuant to the statute, the
trial court had to consider evidence efforts were made to find a less restrictive alternative to
secure confinement before it could sentence respondent to the DOJJ. While the court stated
it had to look at some alternative to secure confinement, no evidence was presented to the
court about any efforts made to find possible alternatives.
¶ 50 The record is clear the trial court failed to follow the mandate of section 5-750 prior to
committing respondent to the DOJJ. Prior to committing a juvenile to the DOJJ, a trial court
must have before it evidence of efforts made to locate less restrictive alternatives to secure
confinement and the court must state the reasons why said efforts were unsuccessful. This
is not some pro forma statement to be satisfied by including the language of the statute in a
form sentencing order. Actual efforts must be made, evidence of those efforts must be
presented to the court, and, if those efforts prove unsuccessful, an explanation must be given
why the efforts were unsuccessful. None of this was done prior to respondent’s commitment
to the DOJJ.
¶ 51 The State contends respondent forfeited this argument because it was not raised
“adequately below.” Any sentencing issue not raised in a postsentencing motion is forfeited
on appeal. See People v. Reed, 177 Ill. 2d 389, 390, 686 N.E.2d 584, 584 (1997); see also
People v. Heider, 231 Ill. 2d 1, 15, 896 N.E.2d 239, 247 (2008). In People v. Rathbone, 345
Ill. App. 3d 305, 310, 802 N.E.2d 333, 338 (2003), this court acknowledged “a number of
appellate court cases *** assert that alleged sentencing errors are reviewable as plain error
when they involve a misapplication of law because the right to be sentenced lawfully is
substantial in that it affects a defendant’s fundamental right to liberty.” This court stated:
“We reject this approach because it is not consistent with (1) the rule of law set forth
in Reed, (2) its underlying principles, or (3) the intent of the legislature. If all matters
related to a ‘misapplication of law’ at sentencing affect a defendant’s fundamental right
to liberty and are thus reviewable as plain error, then the plain[-]error exception
essentially swallows the forfeiture rule, rendering meaningless the requirement contained
in section 5-8-1(c) of the Unified Code and enforced by the supreme court in Reed.”
(Emphasis omitted.) Id. at 311, 802 N.E.2d at 338.
However, this court then made clear sentencing errors can still be reviewed for plain error
as long as the reviewing court first considers “whether the evidence was closely balanced and
whether the error was sufficiently grave that the defendant was deprived of a fair sentencing
hearing.” Id. at 312, 802 N.E.2d at 339.
¶ 52 We note the State made no specific argument why respondent forfeited this argument.
However, even if respondent forfeited this argument, we find the trial court’s failure to
require and consider evidence of less restrictive alternatives to secure confinement, efforts
made to find less restrictive alternatives, and evidence why those efforts were unsuccessful,
if so, before sentencing respondent to the DOJJ constitutes such a serious error we excuse
forfeiture based on the second prong of plain-error analysis.
¶ 53 Section 5-750 of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/5-750 (West 2012)) mandates
no juvenile shall be sentenced to the DOJJ unless the trial court has considered evidence
regarding less restrictive alternatives. Prior to January 1, 2012, this was not required.
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However, the General Assembly made clear with the passage of Public Act 97-362 (Pub. Act
97-362, § 5 (eff. Jan. 1, 2012)), a juvenile shall not be sentenced to the DOJJ without
evidence before the sentencing judge of less restrictive alternatives, except in the case of
murder. The court must have evidence efforts were made to locate a less restrictive
alternative and must also have evidence of the reasons why the efforts made were
unsuccessful. These statutory requirements ensure trial courts are treating the DOJJ sentences
as a last resort.
¶ 54 The General Assembly has determined juveniles should only be sentenced to the DOJJ
when a fully informed decision can be made such a sentence is the least restrictive alternative
available for a juvenile who is not charged with murder. The court in this case had no
evidence of less restrictive alternatives to a DOJJ sentence, nor did it require any evidence
of efforts made to find less restrictive alternatives to a DOJJ sentence before sentencing
respondent to the DOJJ. Even at the hearing on the motion to reconsider sentence, the trial
court failed to explain why the alternative to incarceration presented by defense counsel was
not acceptable.
¶ 55 Based on the facts in this case, the trial court’s failure to follow the dictates of section 5-
750 (705 ILCS 405/5-750 (West 2012)) before sentencing respondent to the DOJJ requires
us to excuse any forfeiture under the second prong of the plain-error analysis. This is
especially true considering respondent has no other means of relief from this error. Our
supreme court has never addressed whether a juvenile defendant may file a petition for relief
under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122-1 to 122-7 (West 2012)), despite
appellate courts holding juveniles are not entitled to relief pursuant to the Post-Conviction
Hearing Act. In re J.T., 221 Ill. 2d 338, 348-49, 851 N.E.2d 1, 7 (2006); In re A.W.H., 95 Ill.
App. 3d 1106, 1107, 420 N.E.2d 1041, 1042 (1981) (Fifth District).
¶ 56 As we are remanding this case for a new dispositional hearing, we feel the need to
address other issues raised by respondent that might arise at the new dispositional hearing
and note our concern on other issues. We are troubled by the trial court’s initial decision to
detain respondent after the trial. The State did not ask for respondent to be detained prior to
sentencing. However, the trial court stated:
“I frankly don’t understand why you weren’t detained at the commencement of the case,
but that wasn’t my call. So today I am going to detain you, finding a matter of immediate
and urgent necessity and in the best interests of the public and the minor involved. That
will be until sentencing.”
The court made this detention decision without much background information regarding
respondent other than the fact he had been expelled from school as a result of the case before
it. None of the witnesses at the trial testified they had any prior disciplinary encounters with
respondent. The record also reflects he had not been in juvenile court in any prior cases. He
lived with his mother and stepfather, with whom he had a good relationship. Further, this was
not a case where defendant set out intentionally to harm a teacher or school employee, or
even a situation where the victim suffered serious injuries. He tossed a chair at a student, and
the chair made incidental contact with the teacher.
¶ 57 As a result of the trial court’s detention order on April 22, 2013, respondent was detained
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until the sentencing hearing on May 28, 2013. He was precluded from taking his scheduled
GED examination. The juvenile detention center report provided to the court prior to the
sentencing hearing graded respondent’s ability to control his temper, cooperate with the
school program, behave in the classroom, and show classroom initiative as positive. His
ability to accept authority was graded as fair, and his ability to cooperate and communicate
with staff and his ability to relate with detainees were both graded as poor.
¶ 58 Respondent committed what normally would be classified as a battery. The victim of the
battery, the school monitor, suffered minor injuries and was not the intended victim.
Respondent is guilty of an aggravated battery due to the victim’s status and the location of
the incident.
¶ 59 The General Assembly already took into consideration the disturbing nature of batteries
committed on school personnel on school grounds when it elevated what would otherwise
be a simple battery, a Class A misdemeanor (720 ILCS 5/12-3(b) (West 2012)), to an
aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(d)(3), (h) (West 2012)). The trial
court should not have allowed these same factors, i.e., the location of the incident and the
victim’s status, to also impact its sentencing judgment as aggravating factors. A trial court
may not consider a factor inherent in the charged offense as a factor in aggravation at
sentencing. People v. Conover, 84 Ill. 2d 400, 404, 419 N.E.2d 906, 908 (1981).
¶ 60 We are also disturbed by the emphasis the trial court placed on respondent’s biological
father’s criminal history. The State argues it was respondent’s own attorney who raised the
topic and prompted the court to comment. However, we note the biological father’s criminal
history was exhaustively covered in the social history investigative report, which was
prepared prior to the sentencing hearing. Regardless of who raised the issue or failed to
object to the information, a defendant should not be punished for the crimes of his father
absent the defendant’s involvement in those same crimes. We do not see the relevance of the
criminal history of respondent’s biological father, especially when the evidence presented
showed respondent had no contact with his father, who was incarcerated out of state.
¶ 61 We recognize the safety and security of our schools are important priorities and in no way
condone respondent’s conduct. Nevertheless, considering the facts in this case, where the
trial court received no evidence about alternatives to confinement prior to sentencing
respondent to the DOJJ, as required by statute, we have no choice but to vacate respondent’s
commitment to the DOJJ. On remand, the trial court shall determine whether confinement
in the DOJJ is the least restrictive alternative based on evidence presented of alternatives to
the DOJJ and efforts made to find alternatives. If no alternative is successfully located, the
court shall consider evidence of why those efforts were unsuccessful.
¶ 62 D. Fines
¶ 63 Respondent takes issue with three fines imposed by the circuit clerk: (1) a $4 “Youth
Diversion” fine, (2) a $3.80 drug court fine, and (3) a $15 State Police operations fine.
According to respondent, the circuit clerk had no authority to assess these fines. Further, no
statutory authority exists for imposing these fines against a juvenile following a delinquency
proceeding. The State concedes the three assessments should be vacated because “none of
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the pertinent statutes authorize those fines for adjudicated delinquent minors in cases brought
under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.” See 55 ILCS 5/5-1101(e), (f) (West 2012); 705 ILCS
105/27.3a(1.5) (West 2012). We accept the State’s concession and vacate the three fines.
¶ 64 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 65 For the reasons stated, we affirm respondent’s adjudication of delinquency but vacate
respondent’s sentence and fines and remand for a new sentencing hearing
.
¶ 66 Affirmed in part and vacated in part; cause remanded with directions.
¶ 67 JUSTICE STEIGMANN, dissenting.
¶ 68 Like my distinguished colleagues in the majority, I agree that the sentencing hearing the
trial court conducted in this case was lacking. The record is not clear to what extent, if at all,
the court considered (1) evidence of less restrictive alternatives to a sentence to DOJJ or (2)
evidence of efforts made that were unsuccessful regarding a possible less restrictive
alternative. The majority appropriately cites In re M.W. and Rathbone regarding when the
plain-error doctrine should apply at a sentencing hearing and concludes that it should apply
in this case. Based upon my understanding of this record, I disagree that the application of
the plain-error doctrine is appropriate. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent.
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