People v. Donath , 986 N.E.2d 1222 ( 2013 )

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
Appellate Court
People v. Donath, 2013 IL App (3d) 120251Appellate Court THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Petitioner-Appellee, v.
Caption BRAD L. DONATH, Respondent-Appellant.
District & No. Third District
Docket No. 3-12-0251
Rule 23 Order filed February 21, 2013
Motion to publish
allowed March 22, 2013
Opinion filed March 22, 2013
Held The denial of respondent’s application for conditional release from the
(Note: This syllabus adjudication that he was a sexually dangerous person was not against the
constitutes no part of manifest weight of the evidence, regardless of the 12 years he had spent
the opinion of the court in treatment, since the record showed he had not successfully resolved his
but has been prepared sexual preoccupation or the issues that predisposed him to reoffend.
by the Reporter of
Decisions for the
convenience of the
reader.)
Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Tazewell County, Nos. 99-CF-129, 99-
Review CF-130, 99-CF-131; the Hon. Scott A. Shore, Judge, presiding.
Judgment Affirmed.
Counsel on Luke P. Taylor, of Pekin, for appellant.
Appeal
Stewart Umholtz, State’s Attorney, of Pekin (Terry A. Mertel and
Richard T. Leonard, both of State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s
Office, of counsel), for the People.
Panel JUSTICE CARTER delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Presiding Justice Wright and Justice Lytton concurred in the judgment
and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 In 1999, respondent, Brad L. Donath, was adjudicated a sexually dangerous person under
the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (Act). 725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq. (West 2008).
Respondent filed an application for discharge or conditional release, alleging he had
recovered. 725 ILCS 205/9 (West 2008). Following a bench trial, respondent was found to
still be sexually dangerous, and his application was denied. Respondent appeals, arguing that:
(1) the trial court’s denial of his application for conditional release from the sexually
dangerous persons program was against the manifest weight of the evidence; (2) he was
denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial; and (3) trial counsel was ineffective for
failing to protect his speedy trial right. We affirm.
¶2 FACTS
¶3 I. Pretrial
¶4 In 1999, respondent was charged with criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual
assault, and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child for acts of sexual penetration with
minors. 720 ILCS 5/12-13(a)(2), 12-14(a)(2), 12-14.1(a)(1) (West 1998). The charges were
later dismissed when respondent was adjudicated a sexually dangerous person under the Act
and committed to the Department of Corrections (DOC). 725 ILCS 205/1.01, 8 (West 2008).
¶5 On February 9, 2009, respondent filed a pro se application for discharge or conditional
release from commitment, alleging that he had recovered. 725 ILCS 205/9(a), (e) (West
2008). Respondent, who was committed to the Big Muddy Correctional Center (Big Muddy),
alleged that as a result of the counseling and treatment he had received since 1999, he was
no longer a sexually dangerous person. On the same date, respondent also filed a motion
requesting an independent psychiatric examination and a speedy trial.
¶6 Thereafter, the trial court appointed respondent a public defender and ordered the director
of the DOC to prepare a statutorily mandated socio-psychiatric report on respondent. See 725
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ILCS 205/9(a) (West 2008). After two agreed continuances by the parties, a hearing on
respondent’s motions was held on September 14, 2009. On that date, the State told the trial
court that the socio-psychiatric report was delayed, because Dr. Mark Carich, the doctor
completing the report, had approximately seven reports to complete before starting
respondent’s report and his assistant had recently quit. Respondent asserted that if the report
continued to be delayed, his speedy trial rights would be violated. Respondent then requested
a jury trial at the court’s earliest convenience. The court set the jury trial for January 18,
2010, with a pretrial date of December 14, 2009, at which time the parties were to submit
reciprocal expert reports. The court also granted respondent’s request for an independent
psychiatric examination.
¶7 On November 18, 2009, respondent filed a motion to continue, stating that his appointed
expert, Dr. Robert Chapman, wanted assurances that he would be paid for his services and
also wished to review the State’s report prior to conducting his own evaluation of
respondent. Respondent’s motion to continue was granted on December 14, 2009, and the
case was continued to March 26, 2010.
¶8 On March 26, 2010, the State reported that Carich only had one more report to complete
before respondent’s. The parties then agreed to continue the case until June 18, 2010. On
July 28, 2010, respondent filed a motion to reschedule the jury trial, alleging that Carich
refused to promptly prepare a socio-psychiatric report. Respondent requested that the cause
be set for a jury trial and for the court to order preparation of the report or grant him
discharge or conditional release. Respondent’s motion was scheduled to be heard on
September 17, 2010; however, the parties jointly agreed to continue the hearing to
November 22, 2010.
¶9 On November 22, 2010, respondent reported receiving the State’s socio-psychiatric
report dated November 4, 2010. The parties agreed to continue the case to March 18, 2011,
so that Chapman could complete his evaluation of respondent. On March 17, 2011, the
parties agreed to continue the case until May 20, 2011.
¶ 10 On May 3, 2011, the State filed a motion to reconsider the trial court’s September 14,
2009, decision granting the respondent’s request for independent examination. The State’s
motion was granted on May 12, 2011, and the court denied respondent’s request for an
independent examination. The parties then agreed to continue the case until July 22, 2011.
On that date, respondent’s request to continue until August 28, 2011, was granted.
¶ 11 On August 18, 2011, respondent filed a motion to reconsider the court’s denial of his
independent examination. The motion was denied on August 28, 2011, and the case was set
for pretrial on November 18, 2011, without agreement from respondent. On November 18,
2011, the court was informed that respondent would be privately hiring Chapman to evaluate
him and to testify at trial. The parties then agreed to continue until January 6, 2012. On that
date, the parties agreed to continue to January 20, 2012, where respondent waived his right
to a jury trial. The parties then agreed to continue until February 3, 2012.
¶ 12 II. Trial
¶ 13 Respondent’s bench trial commenced on February 7, 2012. The State’s witnesses
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consisted of Dr. Angeline Stanislaus, Jessica Stover, and Carich. All three witnesses were
part of a team that evaluated respondent and prepared a socio-psychiatric report. In preparing
the report, the team conducted a four-hour interview of respondent on October 12, 2010,
reviewed his treatment and DOC records, and spoke with other staff members at Big Muddy.
Overall, the State’s experts opined that respondent remained a sexually dangerous person and
should not be discharged or conditionally released. The experts further opined that
respondent needed to set his priorities and motivation on recovery, not just release.
Respondent also needed to make more progress on the core issues that lead him to engage
in sexual offenses before he could be released.
¶ 14 The State first called Stanislaus, a forensic psychiatrist assigned to the sexually
dangerous persons unit at Big Muddy. Stanislaus had worked with respondent since 2004 and
diagnosed respondent with pedophilia, fetishism, alcohol dependence, and polysubstance
abuse. Respondent had suffered from these mental disorders for more than one year.
Respondent’s pedophilia had affected his emotional and volitional capacity and predisposed
him to commit sexual offenses. Stanislaus reported that respondent was taking at least two
medications for mood stabilization.
¶ 15 Stanislaus testified that respondent had been participating in the treatment program and
had made progress. However, Stanislaus opined that respondent had not resolved several
areas that were driving his sexually dangerous behavior. Respondent admitted to sexually
assaulting or abusing the 3 victims in the charged offenses and 10 unreported victims. The
13 victims were between the ages of 9 and 13 years old, and the offenses started when
respondent was 15 years old and ended when he was arrested at age 21. Stanislaus testified
that despite respondent’s young age, the pervasiveness and recklessness of his behavior were
quite significant.
¶ 16 Stanislaus testified that prior to respondent’s commitment, he often used the molestation
of children to release his stress. Through his treatment, respondent learned the various factors
that played into his offending. Stanislaus, however, was still concerned about respondent’s
risk to reoffend because he was not consistently applying the intervention techniques he had
been taught. Stanislaus reported that respondent struggled with emotional regulation, impulse
control, and stress management. Respondent also continued to exhibit signs of sexual
preoccupation and a need for immediate gratification. For example, respondent continued to
masturbate to his deviant sexual fantasies to cope with stress. Stanislaus opined that
respondent still needed to make more progress in these areas before he could successfully
deal with resisting the impulse to molest children when released.
¶ 17 The State next called Stover, a social worker with the sexually dangerous persons
program. Stover saw respondent at least twice a week during group therapy sessions and had
worked with respondent for about 1½ years. Stover reported that respondent had done well
in treatment and had made progress, noting that he had acknowledged previously unreported
victims and learned the patterns to his offending. However, respondent’s progress for the
prior year had been at a standstill, and he had not achieved enough progress in the program
to be safely released into the community.
¶ 18 Stover testified that respondent had learned several intervention techniques, but
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sometimes chose not to utilize them. In one therapy session, respondent became angry and
was asked to utilize an intervention technique to de-escalate his anger. Respondent stated he
was not ready to intervene and chose to stay angry instead. Stover opined that because
respondent would not consistently use intervention techniques in a controlled environment,
if released, he would likely turn to sexual means to cope when dealing with stressful
situations.
¶ 19 Stover reported that at the time of trial, respondent participated in three staff-facilitated
groups and also assisted staff in another group by serving as a role model to its members. As
part of assessing respondent’s risk of reoffending, Stover administered two risk assessment
tools, the Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool (MnSOST-R) and the Static-99.
Respondent scored a 12 out of 13 on the MnSOST-R, which revealed he was in the high-risk
category for sexual recidivism. The Static-99, however, showed that respondent was in the
moderate to low risk category for sexual recidivism. Stover opined that the test results
underestimated his probability of reoffending, because the score was skewed by both
respondent’s young age and his lack of criminal convictions due to his admission into the
sexually dangerous persons program.
¶ 20 Stover further testified that respondent struggled with prioritizing his recovery, noting
that respondent struggled with being self-centered and seeking self-gratification. Over the
first six months of 2011, respondent missed 11 group sessions. Respondent then missed
another three to four sessions since then. Respondent often chose to get his hair cut, go to the
commissary, or go to the gym instead of attend therapy. Other times, respondent complained
of being ill. Stover opined that such behavior showed that respondent’s motivation was
toward release instead of recovery.
¶ 21 The State lastly called Carich, who was a psychologist and coordinator of the sexually
dangerous persons program. Carich had worked with respondent since his commitment in
1999. Carich testified that respondent had made substantial progress in the program, noting
he had not gotten involved in sexual activities with other individuals at the program and had
never quit or gotten suspended. Carich testified that a person in treatment must complete a
four-phase program before being released into society, which included: (1) orientation; (2)
working and identifying deviant patterns; (3) prerelease or relapse intervention; and (4)
preparation for release. Respondent was currently in the third phase. Carich estimated that
respondent had approximately two or three years before advancing to phase four.
¶ 22 Carich testified that he reviewed eight factors to evaluate respondent’s readiness to be
released safely into society. The first factor included motivation and commitment. Carich
testified that respondent’s participation in the program for 12 years showed motivation;
however, he was preoccupied with obtaining release rather than trying to prevent reoffending.
¶ 23 The second factor was taking responsibility for one’s behavior. Carich testified that
respondent had taken some responsibility by admitting to unknown victims; however, when
talking about those victims, respondent minimized and deflected his responsibility. Carich
opined that such behavior showed respondent had not yet changed his distorted thinking.
¶ 24 Carich testified that the third factor, social interest, referred to empathy for the victims.
Carich testified that respondent showed some empathy for his victims, but his empathy was
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not consistent and he did not appreciate the full impact he had on the victims’ lives.
¶ 25 The fourth factor, termed social effective, involved interpersonal relationships and mood
management. Carich reported that respondent had developed social skills and positive
relationships. However, respondent still needed to work on compromising more consistently,
dealing with his intimacy issues, and managing his anger more appropriately.
¶ 26 The fifth factor, offense pattern process and intervention, involved becoming aware of
risk factors for offending. Although respondent illustrated that he knew how to identify his
risk factors, Carich opined that he still needed to demonstrate consistent use of intervention
techniques to reduce his sexual deviancy and manage his mood. Respondent most often used
avoidance as an intervention technique. Carich opined that such a technique was less
effective in the community; therefore, respondent needed to work on the other numerous
techniques he had learned.
¶ 27 The sixth factor is lifestyle, which involved addressing antisocial behaviors. Carich
testified that when respondent was offending, his antisocial behaviors led him to seek self-
gratification at the expense of others. Respondent had made some positive changes to his
behavior, but he still needed to work on his narcissism.
¶ 28 The seventh factor was core issues related to offending and resolution. Respondent
identified experiences in his life related to his offending, including issues with abandonment,
viewing women of all ages as sexual objects, and the need to control others. Carich noted
that respondent became sexually attracted to one of the female therapists and also
corresponded with an old girlfriend. Carich opined that such behavior showed that
respondent still needed to deal with and manage his core issues before he could be released.
¶ 29 Lastly, the eighth factor related to managing sexual arousal and deviant fantasies. Carich
testified that respondent had made some improvement, but still needed to keep working on
this area. Respondent was still masturbating to relieve stress, which only reinforced
respondent’s use of sex as a coping method. Carich was concerned that if respondent were
released, he would relieve his stress by reoffending. Carich concluded that respondent was
at a high risk to reoffend if released into the community.
¶ 30 After the State rested, respondent called Chapman, a psychiatrist who evaluated
respondent and prepared a report dated December 1, 2011. Chapman had previously
evaluated respondent for release in 2004, and at that time, opined that respondent had
sufficiently recovered to be a suitable candidate for conditional release. Chapman’s
conclusion after the instant evaluation was again that respondent had a low risk to reoffend
and would be more likely than not to succeed if conditionally released. Chapman opined that
respondent was motivated for recovery, but Chapman noted that he did not see a distinction
between motivation for release and motivation for recovery. Chapman also reported that
respondent had poor impulse control, had trouble following proper procedures, had a
tendency toward addictive behavior, and suffered from mood swings. Despite these
behaviors, Chapman still recommended release. Chapman testified that these behaviors were
merely symptoms of respondent’s obsessive-compulsive personality and attention deficit
disorder, and they had little correlation to his risk to reoffend.
¶ 31 Respondent then testified on his own behalf, stating that he was 33 years old and had
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been in the sexually dangerous persons program for 12 years. Respondent reported assisting
staff with group therapy sessions for approximately four years. Respondent testified that of
the four-phase program, he was in phase three. Respondent had been in phase three since
2003 or 2004. When questioned about the 11 absences he had from group therapy in 2011,
respondent stated that 5 were because he was in the commissary and 6 were related to
illnesses.
¶ 32 Respondent reported that he was taking medication to regulate his mood and noted that
they worked well. Respondent testified that if released, he would continue to take his
medication as prescribed. Additionally, respondent would use the intervention techniques he
had acquired during his treatment to stop any temptation to reoffend. Specifically, respondent
testified he would notify his therapist, probation officer, or any other peace officer if needed.
Respondent also testified that he no longer viewed children as sexual beings, and he would
be able keep his sexual arousal under control if released.
¶ 33 The trial concluded on February 8, 2012, and the court took the matter under advisement.
On February 23, 2012, the trial court held that respondent remained a sexually dangerous
person and denied his application for discharge or conditional release. Respondent was
committed to the DOC. No posttrial motions were filed. Respondent appeals.
¶ 34 ANALYSIS
¶ 35 I. Sexually Dangerous Person
¶ 36 On appeal, respondent first argues that the trial court’s denial of his application for
conditional release from the sexually dangerous persons program was against the manifest
weight of the evidence.
¶ 37 Under section 9(a) of the Act, a respondent who has been found to be a sexually
dangerous person may submit an application to the trial court setting forth facts showing that
he has recovered. 725 ILCS 205/9(a) (West 2008). The court must then hold a hearing, and
the State has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that respondent remains
a sexually dangerous person. 725 ILCS 205/9(b) (West 2008). A person is sexually
dangerous if: (1) the person suffered from a mental disorder for at least one year prior to
filing the petition; (2) the mental disorder is associated with criminal propensities to the
commission of sexual offenses; (3) the person demonstrated that propensity toward acts of
sexual assault or acts of sexual molestation of children; and (4) there is an explicit finding
that it is substantially probable that the person would engage in the commission of sex
offenses in the future if not confined. 725 ILCS 205/1.01 (West 2008); People v. Masterson,
207 Ill. 2d 305 (2003).
¶ 38 If the court finds that respondent “appears no longer to be dangerous but that it is
impossible to determine with certainty under conditions of institutional care that such person
has fully recovered,” the court may conditionally discharge respondent. 725 ILCS 205/9(e)
(West 2008). The court’s finding that respondent is still sexually dangerous may not be
disturbed on review, unless that decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence. See
In re Commitment of Sandry, 367 Ill. App. 3d 949 (2006). A decision is against the manifest
weight of the evidence only if an opposite conclusion is clearly apparent. Id.-7-
¶ 39 Respondent asserts that the trial court should have granted his conditional release, noting
that the State’s experts testified that respondent was doing relatively well in treatment, and,
on one risk assessment tool, was at moderate to low risk of reoffending. Upon review of the
record, however, we find that the trial court’s decision to deny respondent’s conditional
release was not against the manifest weight of the evidence. All three of the State’s experts
concluded that respondent continued to be a sexually dangerous person, and it was more
likely than not that he would reoffend in the future if not confined. Respondent suffered from
pedophilia since a young age and struggled with, among other things, emotional regulation,
impulse control, and stress management. Based on respondent’s progress in treatment and
his predisposition to sexual deviance, the State’s experts concluded that respondent still had
to deal with his core issues and consistently use intervention techniques before he would be
suitable for conditional release.
¶ 40 Respondent points to Chapman’s opinion that he had sufficiently recovered and was a
good candidate for conditional release. However, even Chapman reported that respondent
had poor impulse control, had trouble following proper procedures, had a tendency toward
addictive behavior, and suffered from mood swings. According to Chapman, such behaviors
were unrelated to respondent’s risk to reoffend and were symptoms of his mental disorders,
which would be with him for the rest of his life. However, the State’s experts opined that
respondent’s behaviors relating, in part, to impulse control and anger management directly
concerned respondent’s control over his sexual deviancy and ability to utilize intervention
techniques to prevent reoffending.
¶ 41 In sum, the State presented unequivocal testimony that despite respondent’s 12 years in
treatment, respondent had not successfully addressed his sexual preoccupation or the core
issues that predisposed him to offend. It was for the trial court to determine the weight to be
given to Chapman’s testimony and the other evidence, and we find nothing in the record that
would require us to substitute our judgment for that of the trial court. See People v. Deleon,
227 Ill. 2d 322 (2008). Therefore, based on the evidence presented, we hold that the trial
court’s decision to deny respondent’s application for conditional release was not against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 42 II. Speedy Trial Right
¶ 43 Respondent next argues that he was denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial and
should be released from custody.
¶ 44 While proceedings under the Act are civil in nature, those subject to its proceedings must
be accorded the same essential protections, such as the due process right to a speedy trial.
725 ILCS 205/3.01 (West 2008); People v. Trainor, 196 Ill. 2d 318 (2001). The United
States Supreme Court has identified four factors that must be balanced in determining
whether a respondent’s right to a speedy trial has been violated. See Barker v. Wingo, 407
U.S. 514 (1972). The four factors are: the length of delay in bringing respondent to trial, the
reasons for the delay, the prejudice, if any, to respondent, and respondent’s assertion of his
right. See People v. Crane, 195 Ill. 2d 42 (2001) (citing Barker, 407 U.S. 514).
¶ 45 Delays approaching one year are generally presumed to be prejudicial, such that they will
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trigger consideration of the four factors; however, this presumption does not imply that
respondent was prejudiced by the delay. Id. No single factor is necessary or sufficient to find
that a speedy trial violation occurred. Id. The ultimate determination of whether respondent’s
constitutional speedy trial right has been violated is reviewed de novo. Id.¶ 46 A. Length of Delay and Assertion of Right
¶ 47 In applying the factors to the instant case, the State does not dispute that the nearly three-
year delay from respondent’s filing of his application until the trial was presumptively
prejudicial. The State also does not dispute that respondent asserted his right to a speedy trial.
The parties do dispute, however, who was responsible for the delay and whether respondent
was prejudiced by such delay.
¶ 48 B. Reasons for Delay
¶ 49 Regarding the reason for the delay, the State bears the burden to justify the delay. Crane,
195 Ill. 2d 42. However, reasons for the delay are weighed differently, such that an
intentional delay will weigh heavier against the State than a more neutral reason. Id.Moreover, the mere fact that the delay is attributable to the State does not always mean that
a speedy trial violation has occurred. Id.¶ 50 The main thrust of respondent’s argument is based on the period between the filing of
respondent’s application on February 9, 2009, and when respondent acknowledged in open
court his receipt of the socio-psychiatric report on November 22, 2010. Respondent argues
that this 21-month delay should be attributable to the State because the trial was unable to
proceed until the State submitted its socio-psychiatric report. See 725 ILCS 205/9(a), (b)
(West 2008) (stating that once an application for discharge under the Act is filed, the director
is required to obtain a socio-psychiatric report concerning respondent, and the trial court is
required to consider this report at the discharge hearing). The State’s reasoning for this delay
was based on the seven reports Carich had to complete before respondent’s and the departure
of his assistant. Such delay was not intentional and thus will not be weighed as heavily
against the State as an intentional delay. See Crane, 195 Ill. 2d 42. Furthermore, during this
period alone, respondent shared responsibility for some delay by agreeing to several
continuances and filing at least three motions that were heard by the court.
¶ 51 Respondent argues that his counsel agreed to and requested continuances against his
wishes, and therefore they should not be attributable to him. A delay is occasioned by
respondent when respondent’s acts caused or contributed to the delay. People v. Kaczmarek,
207 Ill. 2d 288 (2003). When respondent’s counsel requests a continuance on behalf of
respondent, any delay caused by that continuance will be attributed to respondent, as a client
is generally bound by the acts or admissions of his attorney. Id. Here, respondent was present
for the majority of the court appearances, and despite asserting his speedy trial right, he
allowed his counsel to agree to and request continuances in his presence. See id. (stating that
a respondent will not be bound by his attorney’s actions when he clearly and convincingly
attempted to assert his right to discharge his attorney and proceed to an immediate trial).
¶ 52 Although the delay in submitting the report is not attributable to respondent per se, we
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cannot say that respondent’s continuances during this period are meaningless or that his
inaction would absolve him of occasioning the delay related to his continuances. Even if we
determined that the entire period of delay related to the State’s report was attributed to the
State, the record shows that after the report was submitted, respondent requested or agreed
to a majority of the continuances. From our review of the record, we find that the reasons for
the lengthy delay do not clearly weigh in favor of finding a speedy trial violation.
¶ 53 C. Prejudice
¶ 54 As for prejudice to respondent, other than the time he spent in custody, he has revealed
no evidence that the proceedings were impaired by the delay. No prejudice exists just by
being in custody during pendency of his application. See In re Detention of Hughes, 346 Ill.
App. 3d 637 (2004). Furthermore, respondent’s assertion that his condition may have
deteriorated during the pendency of his application is not supported by the record. The
majority of the State’s testimony at trial revealed that respondent had been making progress
in treatment, but still had more progress to make before being suitable for release. As such,
the prejudice factor weighs in favor of the State.
¶ 55 D. Conclusion
¶ 56 After balancing all four factors in the instant case, we hold that no speedy trial violation
occurred. While we are disturbed by the three-year delay in bringing respondent to trial, we
believe that the lack of prejudice respondent suffered, coupled with his request for and
acquiescence in a large majority of the continuances throughout the proceedings, precludes
a finding that respondent was deprived of his constitutional right to a speedy trial.
¶ 57 III. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
¶ 58 Finally, respondent argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to protect his
constitutional right to a speedy trial by acquiescing in continuances and not moving for
discharge or conditional release.
¶ 59 To prevail on a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, a respondent must show that:
(1) counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness; and (2)
counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced respondent such that he was deprived of a fair
trial. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984); People v. Lawton, 212 Ill. 2d 285(2004). Respondent’s failure to satisfy either prong defeats a claim of ineffective assistance.
People v. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465 (2003). Furthermore, the failure of counsel to argue a
speedy trial violation cannot satisfy the Strickland test if there was no lawful basis for raising
a speedy trial violation. See People v. Phipps, 238 Ill. 2d 54 (2010); Hughes, 346 Ill. App.
3d 637.
¶ 60 As previously discussed, we held that respondent was not denied his constitutional right
to a speedy trial. Thus, respondent was not prejudiced by his counsel’s failure to object to
continuances and move for respondent’s release from custody based on a speedy trial
violation. See Hughes, 346 Ill. App. 3d 637. Accordingly, respondent cannot establish a
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claim for ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
¶ 61 CONCLUSION
¶ 62 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Tazewell County is
affirmed.
¶ 63 Affirmed.
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