People v. Gale

FIFTH DIVISION
September 7, 2007
No. 1-06-0038
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the
) Circuit Court of
Respondent-Appellee, ) Cook County.
)
v. ) No. 01 CR 2848
)
EUDELTRO GALE, ) The Honorable
) Dennis J. Porter,
Petitioner-Appellant. ) Judge Presiding.
PRESIDING JUSTICE FITZGERALD SMITH delivered the opinion of the court:
Defendant Eudeltro Gale (defendant) filed a pro se postconviction petition from judgment,
relating to his conviction for burglary. The trial court summarily dismissed the petition as
frivolous and patently without merit. Defendant appeals, contending that the trial court erred in
summarily dismissing his petition where he presented the gist of a meritorious constitutional claim
focusing on ineffective assistance of trial counsel in relation to counsel's failure to obtain
defendant's mental health records. Defendant also contends on appeal that he should not have
been assessed certain filing fees because they are not mandated by statute and because they violate
his due process and equal protection rights. Defendant asks that we reverse the trial court's
summary dismissal of his pro se postconviction petition, remand the cause for further proceedings
including the appointment of an expert to conduct a fitness examination of him, and vacate the
court's order requiring him to pay costs and fees. For the following reasons, we affirm.
No. 1-06-0038
BACKGROUND
The underlying facts of this case have been set forth adequately in the order concerning
defendant's direct appeal before this Court. See People v. Gale, No. 1-01-4279 (2003)
(unpublished order pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23). Accordingly, we state herein
only those facts necessary to the disposition of this postconviction appeal.
Defendant was charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools in relation to an
incident where a box containing a five-piece luggage set was taken from a railyard on South State
Street in Chicago. On the day of his trial, defendant told the court that he was unhappy with his
counsel's representation of him and the preparation of his case and did not want to proceed to
trial. Defendant's counsel, however, informed the court that he was prepared and described his
contact with defendant and the steps he and cocounsel had taken in preparation for trial. The trial
court gave defendant the option to represent himself or obtain new counsel by that afternoon.
Defendant refused to represent himself and requested a week's continuance to obtain counsel,
which he explained his mother was doing for him by attempting to sell a parcel of land in
Tennessee in order to finance his defense. However, when asked by the court, defendant did not
have the names of any lawyers his mother or anyone had contacted for him, but stated he had this
information in his prison cell. The trial court stated that it believed defendant was simply trying to
delay trial and denied his motion for continuance.
Following trial testimony, which included that of a security manager from the railyard, two
police officers who saw defendant carrying the box from a railcar and pursued him when he fled,
and defendant himself, a jury found defendant guilty of burglary. Prior to sentencing, defendant
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was found eligible for a Treatment Alternative for Safe Communities (TASC) drug program and
mental illness and substance abuse placement, but a review of his criminal history was still
pending. Later, at his sentencing hearing, the State argued that while defendant had been found
eligible for TASC, he was not a good candidate for this in light of his criminal record, which
included three adjudications of delinquency for burglary as a juvenile and two convictions for
burglary, two for attempted burglary, one for theft, one for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon,
and one for possession of cannabis as an adult. Meanwhile, defendant's trial counsel argued in
mitigation that defendant had a history of hospitalization for mental illness; defendant's
presentence investigation report (PSI) revealed he had been hospitalized three times. Defense
counsel also informed the court that defendant had been prescribed drugs for depression, that he
had been addicted to drugs and alcohol since he was a child, and that he had been found eligible
for TASC. Defense counsel further called defendant's mother to testify at the sentencing hearing
regarding defendant's mental illness and drug problem. In light of all this, the trial court sentenced
defendant to 16 years' imprisonment, stating that he had "an atrocious criminal record" and that
this sentence was necessary for his rehabilitation and the protection of the public.
On direct appeal with this court, defendant contended that the trial court erred when it
denied his pretrial motion for continuance to obtain private counsel, when it failed to order a
competency hearing to determine his fitness to stand trial or be sentenced, and when it denied his
petition for treatment as an alternative to imprisonment. The reviewing court affirmed his
conviction, holding that the trial court's denial of the motion for continuance was proper because
defendant was trying to delay his trial, that its failure to order a competency hearing was proper as
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there was no bona fide doubt regarding his fitness to stand trial, and that its denial of his
treatment-alternative petition was proper since, though he was found eligible for TASC, the
evaluators had not yet reviewed his criminal history and the trial court doubted both his
rehabilitative potential and the safety of the public if he were not imprisoned. See People v. Gale,
No. 1-01-4279 (2003) (unpublished order pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23). Later,
defendant filed a pro se motion for order nunc pro tunc, arguing that the trial court had unlawfully
sentenced him to 16 years' imprisonment for a Class 2 offense which allows only for a 14-year
maximum. Upon review, the trial court corrected the original mittimus in the cause to reflect that
defendant had been sentenced as a Class X offender due to his prior criminal history.
Defendant then filed a pro se postconviction petition alleging seven principle grounds for
relief: (1) the trial court improperly sentenced him to 16 years for burglary; (2) it erred in denying
his motion for continuance regarding his issues with defense counsel; (3) it improperly denied his
motion for continuance that would have allowed TASC to evaluate him; (4) it improperly
conducted voir dire; (5) it failed to inform the jury of a potential lesser-included offense; (6) it
erred by allowing the jury to see certain evidence and then telling the jury to disregard it; and (7)
he was denied effective assistance of trial counsel because counsel did not prepare for trial and did
not challenge a certain juror's conduct during trial. The court addressed each of defendant's
claims, ultimately finding his postconviction petition to be frivolous and patently without merit.
Specifically, the court found that defendant was properly sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment
because he was sentenced as a Class X offender, res judicata barred his claims concerning the
dismissals of his motions for continuance (the trial and appellate courts already decided the issue
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regarding defense counsel, and the TASC evaluation issue had already been raised on appeal),
defendant had no support for his claim regarding voir dire, waiver barred his claims regarding a
lesser-included-offense instruction and the jury's viewing of evidence since these could have been
raised on direct appeal, and defendant could not show that counsel's performance was
unreasonable or that he suffered prejudice from ineffectiveness. Accordingly, the court summarily
dismissed defendant's petition. Following this, the court assessed defendant "filing fees and actual
court costs in the amount of $105.00; $90.00 for filing a petition to vacate, modify, or reconsider
final judgment plus $15.00 in mailing fees, pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.2(a) (West 2004)."
ANALYSIS
On appeal, defendant asserts that the trial court erred in summarily dismissing his
postconviction petition because it stated the gist of a constitutional claim entitling him to relief.
Specifically, he contends that he adequately demonstrated he was denied effective assistance of
trial counsel when his counsel failed to obtain his mental health records where such records could
have given rise to a bona fide doubt of his fitness to stand trial and could have served as
mitigation at sentencing. In addition, defendant contends that, regardless of our finding on that
issue, he should not have been assessed a $90 filing fee because it is not mandated by statute, and
the assessment of costs and fees should be vacated as violative of his federal and state rights to
due process and equal protection. We disagree with each of defendant's contentions.
I. Postconviction Petition
We turn first to defendant's contention concerning the summary dismissal of his
postconviction petition.
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The Illinois Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2004))
provides a tool to criminal defendants by which they can assert that their convictions were the
result of a substantial denial of their rights under the United States Constitution, the Illinois
Constitution, or both. See 725 ILCS 5/122-1(a) (West 2004); see also People v. David Harris,
206 Ill. 2d 293, 299 (2002); accord People v. Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d 366, 378-79 (1998).
"[P]ostconviction relief is limited to constitutional deprivations which occurred at the original
trial." Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d at 380. A proceeding brought under the Act is not an appeal of a
defendant's underlying conviction but, rather, is a collateral attack on the judgment. See People v.
Evans, 186 Ill. 2d 83, 89 (1999); see also David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 299 (the defendant's
innocence or guilt is not relitigated). That is, "[t]he purpose of [a postconviction] proceeding is
to allow inquiry into constitutional issues relating to the conviction or sentence that were not, and
could not have been, determined on direct appeal." People v. Barrow, 195 Ill. 2d 506, 519
(2001). Thus, res judicata bars consideration of issues that were raised and decided on direct
appeal, while issues that could have been presented on direct appeal but were not are considered
waived. See David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 299; accord Barrow, 195 Ill. 2d at 519.
Based on these principles, we find that defendant's claim of ineffective assistance of trial
counsel due to counsel's failure to obtain his mental health records for trial and sentencing is
waived. This issue could have been raised previously on direct appeal, but defendant chose not to
do so. Interestingly, he did assert on direct appeal that the trial court had erred by not conducting
a competency hearing, presumably related to his mental health records, but never mentioned
anything regarding defense counsel and this issue. Obviously, then, the issues of competency and
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mental health were known to defendant at the time he filed his direct appeal (if not before) but,
again, he chose not to mention them in relation to counsel's representation of him during trial or
sentencing. Instead, defendant alleged this error for the first time in his postconviction petition.
Under these circumstances, this contention is forfeited for our review. See People v. Dominguez,
366 Ill. App. 3d 468, 475 (2006) (a defendant who sought to raise argument in postconviction
petition that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate his mental health waived this
contention for purposes of appeal since issue could have been raised previously).
It is true that the postconviction waiver rule is relaxed in three situations: where
fundamental fairness requires, where the facts relating to the defendant's claim do not appear on
the face of the original appellate record, and where the alleged waiver stems from the
incompetence of appellate counsel. See People v. James Harris, 206 Ill. 2d 1, 13 (2002).
However, we note for the record that defendant does not argue any of these exceptions anywhere
in his appellate or reply brief. Regarding the fundamental fairness exception, he does not set out
what the standard for that exception is, nor does he attempt to apply it to his situation and, thus,
any such claim that the forfeiture of this issue should be excused is itself forfeited. See
Dominguez, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 475 (exception to forfeiture was itself forfeited where the
defendant, raising ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to investigate his mental health
records for first time in postconviction petition, claimed that fundamental fairness required he be
allowed to litigate issue but did not set out standard or attempt to apply it). Regarding what
appears on the appellate record, we have already discussed that defendant was cognizant, as early
as his trial, that there was an issue, at least in his mind, regarding his mental health records and his
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competency to stand trial and be sentenced. This is clear from his direct appeal when he
challenged the trial court on these facts, as exemplified in the appellate record, but did not
challenge defense counsel. See Dominguez, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 475 (where the defendant's claim
in postconviction petition that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate mental health
was "substantially different" from claim addressed on direct appeal that trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to move for fitness hearing, claim in postconviction petition was waived).
And, finally, defendant is not alleging the incompetence of appellate counsel but, rather, of his
trial counsel. See, e.g., Dominguez, 366 Ill. App. 3d 468; see also James Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 13.
Thus, the postconviction forfeiture rule should not be relaxed here.
However, even were we to place waiver aside in this cause and consider the merits of
defendant's claim, we note that at the dismissal stage of a postconviction proceeding, the trial
court is concerned merely with determining whether the petition's allegations sufficiently
demonstrate a constitutional infirmity that would necessitate relief. See Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d at
380; see also David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 299-300 (the defendant is not entitled to evidentiary
hearing unless allegations in petition, supported by record and affidavits, make substantial
showing of constitutional violation). Under section 122-2.1(a)(2), the trial court is to dismiss a
petition within 90 days of its filing if the court determines that it is "frivolous" or "patently
without merit." 725 ILCS 5/122-2.1(a)(2) (West 2000). A postconviction petition is considered
frivolous or patently without merit if the allegations in the petition, taken as true and liberally
construed, fail to present the "gist" of a constitutional claim. See People v. Edwards, 197 Ill. 2d
239, 244 (2001); see also People v. Porter, 122 Ill. 2d 64, 74 (1988) (in order to avoid dismissal,
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defendant need only present the "gist" of a constitutional claim that would provide relief under the
Act). This "gist" standard is a low threshold which requires the defendant to present only a
limited amount of detail, not the claim in its entirety or legal argument or citation to legal
authority. See Edwards, 197 Ill. 2d at 244. However, a trial court may summarily dismiss a
postconviction petition if the defendant's allegations are contradicted by the record from the
original trial proceedings. See People v. Rogers, 197 Ill. 2d 216, 222 (2001).
The question for us, as a reviewing court, in considering a postconviction petition
dismissed as frivolous and patently without merit is whether the defendant has alleged the gist of a
constitutional claim in his petition. See Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d at 389; accord People v. Woidtke,
313 Ill. App. 3d 399, 405 (2000). Accordingly, our standard of review is de novo. See Coleman,
183 Ill. 2d at 389; Woidtke, 313 Ill. App. 3d at 405 (our review in this context is "plenary").
Regarding trial counsel in the postconviction context, claims of ineffective assistance are
examined under the two-prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 80 L. Ed.
2d 674, 104 S. Ct. 2052 (1984). See David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 303; accord James Harris, 206
Ill. 2d at 15. Succinctly, under Strickland, a defendant must demonstrate both that his trial
counsel's performance was deficient and that this deficient performance substantially prejudiced
him. See People v. Hobley, 182 Ill. 2d 404, 451 (1998); see also David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 303;
James Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 16 (proving both prongs is required to succeed on claim). To
demonstrate performance deficiency, the defendant must establish that trial counsel's performance
fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. See David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 303; James
Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 16; People v. Edwards, 195 Ill. 2d 142, 163 (2001). Meanwhile, to
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demonstrate sufficient prejudice, the defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability
that, but for his trial counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceedings would have
been different. See David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 303; James Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 16. A reasonable
probability is one sufficient to undermine the confidence in the outcome. See David Harris, 206
Ill. 2d at 304 (trial counsel's deficient performance must have "rendered the result of the trial
unreliable or fundamentally unfair"); James Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 16. Again, the defendant must
satisfy both the performance and prejudice prongs of the Strickland test to succeed on his claim of
ineffective assistance of trial counsel; however, if it is determined that he did not suffer prejudice,
whether trial counsel's performance was constitutionally deficient need not be decided. See David
Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 304.
Under Strickland, reviewing courts entertain a strong presumption that trial counsel's
performance was a product of sound trial strategy and professional judgment. See David Harris,
206 Ill. 2d at 303; see also Hobley, 182 Ill. 2d at 454; People v. Giles, 209 Ill. App. 3d 265, 269
(1991) (the defendant must overcome this presumption under the circumstances of his cause).
" '[N]either mistakes in strategy nor the fact that another attorney with the benefit of hindsight
would have handled the case differently indicates that [trial counsel] was incompetent.'
[Citation.]" People v. Young, 341 Ill. App. 3d 379, 383 (2003). Accordingly, "a decision that
involves a matter of trial strategy will typically not support a claim of ineffective representation."
People v. Simmons, 342 Ill. App. 3d 185, 191 (2003). Ultimately, any decision of defense
counsel to conduct a less-than-complete investigation regarding an issue, including a defendant's
mental health, falls within the wide range of professionally competent assistance, so long as this
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decision is supported by reasonable professional judgment as evaluated from defense counsel's
perspective at the time and under all relevant circumstances. See James Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 56-
57; People v. Ganus, 185 Ill. 2d 355, 367 (1998) ("a heavy measure of deference" is given to trial
counsel's decision not to investigate further into a defendant's mental health). Specific to the
instant case, our state supreme court has held that defense counsel's failure to introduce a
defendant's mental health records is generally a strategic decision and, to prevail on a claim that
trial counsel was ineffective for failing to introduce such records, the defendant must show that he
was prejudiced and that the outcome of the proceedings would have been different. See, e.g.,
People v. Haynes, 192 Ill. 2d 437, 474-75 (2000) (counsel was not ineffective where the
defendant failed to make substantial showing that, had counsel introduced his mental health
records, there was a reasonable probability that outcome would have been different); People v.
Easley, 192 Ill. 2d 307 (2000) (counsel's failure to explore use of the defendant's mental health as
mitigation strategy was not ineffective where the defendant did not show prejudice); People v.
Wright, 149 Ill. 2d 36, 51-52 (1992) (failure to present the defendant's mental health records was
not ineffective, as no prejudice could be shown).
Defendant asserts in his postconviction petition that his trial counsel's failure to obtain his
mental health records prejudiced him because these records "may have undermined" his fitness to
stand trial and/or be sentenced, and would have resulted in a different outcome because they
"would very likely have mitigated against the 16-year sentence he received" and "may have
resulted in a sentence of TASC probation." However, based upon our review of defendant's
petition, as well as the record in the instant case and the record in the underlying appeal, we find
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that his claims of ineffective trial counsel in relation to the failure to obtain his mental health
records cannot stand. Simply put, defendant fails, for the reasons discussed below, to adequately
demonstrate either the performance deficiency prong of the Strickland test or the prejudice prong
indicating a reasonable probability that trial counsel's investigation into and presentation of these
records to the trial court would have changed the outcome of his trial or sentence.
First and foremost, it is clear to us that strategy played a prime role in trial counsel's
decision during both trial and sentencing not to investigate further into defendant's mental health
or to present the records regarding the three occasions on which he sought mental health
treatment. In the trial phase, at the outset of which counsel specified for the court that he was
prepared, that he investigated the scene and that he consulted with defendant on multiple
occasions, defendant's chosen theory on the case was that he never entered the boxcar he was
accused of burglarizing. Rather, his defense was that he and an acquaintance were driving by the
railyard when they saw a box lying in the parking lot--not in the railyard and not on railyard
property--and defendant got out of the car and walked up to the box only to see what was in it; he
then saw two men approaching him whom he admittedly thought were police officers and ran.
Also, defendant admitted on cross-examination that he knew the box was not, then or at the time
of trial, his. As the reviewing court found on direct appeal, and as we concur upon our own
review of the trial transcript, "defendant participated in his defense by clearly and coherently
answering questions under direct and cross-examination and expressed remorse and a desire to
rehabilitate himself." Defendant, then, competently participated and testified at trial so that his
fitness was not at any time in doubt and, clearly, his defense had nothing to do in the least with his
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mental health. In fact, any mention that defendant had mental health issues would have directly
countered his own defense, which was that he knowingly did not enter the boxcar and was not on
railway property at the time of the incident. Strategically, his mental health records had no
bearing on his trial. See, e.g., Easley, 192 Ill. 2d 307.
Furthermore, we fail to see how trial counsel's failure to obtain defendant's mental health
records prejudiced him during the sentencing phase of the proceedings or would have changed its
outcome. In an effort to mitigate his sentence, trial counsel did inform the court that defendant
had sought mental health help on three occasions, in addition to the fact that he had been taking
Prozac and Trazodone; this information was contained in defendant's presentence investigation
report which trial counsel submitted to the court, along with the TASC evaluation that found
defendant eligible for mental illness and substance abuse placement. Trial counsel also prepared
defendant's mother to testify on his behalf. Clearly, the trial court was more than aware of
defendant's mental health history--as well as defendant's side of the story regarding the instant
crime, which included his knowledge that the box he "found" did not belong to him and that he
fled when he saw police. As we described above, obtaining further information about defendant's
mental health for sentencing, when all this evidence had already been submitted before the court,
simply would not have helped defendant here in light of the circumstances. See Easley, 192 Ill. 2d
at 339 (counsel's failure to explore use of the defendant's mental health as mitigation strategy was
not ineffective because the defendant could not show he was prejudiced in light of evidence
demonstrating he acted rationally and composed before, during and after crime and had attempted
to avoid detection, showing he appreciated the criminality of his acts).
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Moreover, defendant has consistently failed, since the first time he raised this issue of
mental health, to indicate what information his records contain, other than that he was "admitted"
to mental health institutions on three separate occasions when he was 21, 24 and 26 years old by
his mother, who believed he was "depressed." Defendant has never expounded upon any
treatment he may have received or a diagnosis of any sort of disorder he may have. It could very
well be that further investigation into his mental health records would have revealed that
defendant was not mentally ill and that these institutions had found nothing wrong with him. See
Wright, 149 Ill. 2d at 51-52 (failure to present the defendant's mental health records at sentencing
did not amount to ineffective assistance where trial court knew of history of institutionalization
and records could have been used in aggravation). We simply do not know, as defendant has not
attached the mental health records (or any other evidence related thereto) to his postconviction
petition in support of his allegation. See People v. Charles Harris, 224 Ill. 2d 115, 126 (2007)
(postconviction petitioner must attach to petition affidavits, records, or other evidence supporting
its allegations or explain why they are not attached, and the failure to comply with this "is fatal
and by itself justifies the petition's summary dismissal"). In conjunction with this is the relevancy
of these records. That is, defendant was 32 years old when he was charged with the crime
involved herein. Yet, his "admissions" for mental health "treatment" date back 6 to 11 years
before the crime; they were three separate instances and there is no indication that defendant was
receiving any ongoing treatment during the years before the crime.
Most significantly, we cannot accept defendant's assertion that the presentation of his
mental health records would have changed the outcome of his sentence. Defendant was
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sentenced under the Class X offender statute, which allows for a sentence of between 6 and 30
years in prison. See 730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(3) (West 2004). And, unlike defendant's contention
here that had counsel presented his mental health records he may have received probation for the
burglary, the Class X offender statute prohibits probation or treatment alternatives as options to
incarceration. See 730 ILCS 5/5-5-3(c)(8) (West 2004) (one sentenced as Class X offender "is
not eligible to apply for treatment as a condition of probation"). Thus, defendant's 16-year prison
sentence was wholly proper. In addition, the court specified that, regardless, it had concluded the
sentence was appropriate based on two important factors: the protection of the public and
defendant's low rehabilitative potential due to his lengthy criminal history. Again, the court was
aware that defendant had a mental health history; by its colloquy, however, it is clear that this did
not impact the its decision regarding defendant's sentence. See People v. Economy, 291 Ill. App.
3d 212, 220 (1997) (trial court is not obligated to advise defendant of treatment alternatives if it
determines his imprisonment is necessary to protect the public or potential success for his
rehabilitation is low).
Based on all this, we find no merit in defendant's postconviction allegation that his trial
counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain his mental health records. Therefore, the trial court
correctly dismissed defendant's postconviction petition without an evidentiary hearing.
II. Filing Fee as "Unauthorized"
Defendant's next contention is that, even if we affirm the trial court's summary dismissal of
his postconviction petition, we should vacate the $90 filing fee he was ordered to pay pursuant to
section 22-105(a) of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (Code). See 735 ILCS 5/22-105(a)
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(West 2004). Defendant asserts that, because this statutory section does not specifically refer to
fees for filing "postconviction petitions" and because no other statutory section does either, the
trial court lacked authority to assess the $90 filing fee.
In its order summarily dismissing defendant's postconviction petition as frivolous and
patently without merit, the trial court cited section 22-105 and assessed a $105 fine against
defendant, including "$90.00 for filing a petition to vacate, modify, or reconsider final judgment."
We find this to have been wholly proper.
The Illinois Court of Claims Act dictates that our trial courts are authorized to impose fees
upon "[a] petitioner who is a prisoner in an Illinois Department of Corrections facility who files a
pleading, motion, or other filing *** in which the court makes a specific finding that it is
frivolous." 705 ILCS 505/21 (West 2004). According to this section, when a court has made a
finding of frivolous, it may order the petitioner to "pay all filing fees and court costs in the manner
provided in Article XXII of the Code of Civil Procedure." 705 ILCS 505/21 (West 2004).
Turning to Article XXII of the Code, section 22-105, entitled "Frivolous lawsuits filed by
prisoners," states in relevant part:
"(a) If a prisoner *** files a pleading, motion, or other filing which
purports to be a legal document in a case seeking post-conviction relief under
Article 122 of the Code of Criminal Procedure ***, pursuant to Section 116-3 of
the Code of Criminal Procedure ***, in a habeas corpus action ***, in a claim
under the Court of Claims Act, or in another action against the State, the Illinois
Department of Corrections, or the Prisoner Review Board, or against any of their
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officers or employees and the Court makes a specific finding that the pleading,
motion, or other filing which purports to be a legal document filed by the prisoner
is frivolous, the prisoner is responsible for the full payment of filing fees and actual
court costs." (Emphasis added.) 735 ILCS 5/22-105(a) (West 2004).
Section 27.2a of the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act, which deals with circuit court fees in counties
of 3 million or more, states that a minimum fee of $75 and a maximum fee of $90 is to be charged
to those who file
"[p]etition[s] to vacate or modify any final judgement or order of court,
except a petition to modify, terminate, or enforce a judgment or order for child or
spousal support or to modify, suspend, or terminate an order for withholding, if
filed later than 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order." 705 ILCS
105/27.2a(g)(2) (West 2004).
From this, it is clear that, contrary to defendant's contention here, the trial court did have
the authority to order him to pay the $90 filing fee once it determined his postconviction petition
was frivolous. While section 22-105(a) may not refer in exact words to prisoners filing
"postconviction petitions," it unmistakably states that a fee will apply to a prisoner's pleading,
motion or other filing "seeking post-conviction relief under Article 122 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure." 735 ILCS 5/22-105(a) (West 2004). That the fee will apply to postconviction
petitions, then, cannot be any clearer, as these petitions are "seeking post-conviction relief" and
are brought under our Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2004)).
Such a finding is in line with section 21 of our Court of Claims Act as noted above, specifically
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authorizing our trial courts to impose fees when a prisoner's petition is found to be frivolous. See
705 ILCS 505/21 (West 2004).
Defendant argues that the $90 fee was not valid because the trial court here relied on
section 27.2a(g)(2) of the Clerks of Courts Act which, he asserts, "appears to be tailored to civil
proceedings only" and applies only to petitions to vacate of modify final judgment, which a
postconviction petition is not. Upon our review of section 27.2a(g)(2), however, we find no
support for either of these claims. First, section 27.2a(g)(2) is not limited to "civil proceedings
only." That section states that it applies to petitions to vacate or modify "any final judgment or
order of court." 705 ILCS 105/27.2a(g)(2) (West 2004). It does not distinguish between civil or
criminal proceedings but, rather, includes petitions to vacate or modify any judgment. The only
conditions included in the section are (1) that the petition is not one to modify, terminate or
enforce a judgment or order regarding child support, spousal support or withholding; and (2) that
the petition is filed later than 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order it seeks to vacate or
modify. See 705 ILCS 105/27.2a(g)(2) (West 2004). In fact, section 27.2a(a), entitled "Civil
Cases," not section 27.2(g)(2), is the section that deals with fees in civil cases.1 Therefore, we do
1
Defendant further comments that subsection (g)(2) must deal with civil judgments only
since subsection (w) of section 27.2a is entitled "Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Costs and Fees"; he
then states that because subsection (w) does not mention postconviction petitions, no fees must
apply to them. While it is true that subsection (w) does not mention postconviction petitions in its
list of fees, as defendant himself admits in his brief, a postconviction petition is a "unique
proceeding" in that it is a collateral attack on a judgment that can be brought years after
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not find defendant's assertion to be correct.
Moreover, we cannot agree with defendant's claim that section 27.2a(g)(2)'s fees cannot
apply to postconviction petitions because postconviction petitions are not "petitions to vacate or
modify" final judgments or court orders. This argument holds no water. Postconviction petitions
act precisely as vehicles for prisoners who are seeking to vacate and/or modify the final judgments
of conviction and/or sentence entered in their causes. See, e.g., People v. Pearson, 216 Ill. 2d 58
(2005) (upon grant of postconviction petition, trial court's holding was vacated and cause was
remanded); People v. Mrugalla, 371 Ill. App. 3d 544 (2007) (postconviction petition seeking to
vacate the defendant's conviction); People v. Roger Harris, 366 Ill. App. 3d 1161 (2006)
(postconviction petition seeking to vacate sentences); People v. Fields, 357 Ill. App. 3d 780
(2005) (postconviction petition seeking new trial). Even defendant's very own postconviction
petition states that "the spirit and purpose" of his petition and his "relief request" is "to vacate the
court[']s judgement(s) herein [sic]" and, particularly, "to be re-sentenced." Accordingly, then,
defendant himself sought, in filing his postconviction petition, to vacate the trial court's final
conviction and wherein the defendant's innocence or guilt is not relitigated. See Evans, 186 Ill. 2d
at 89; David Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 299. Thus, there is no logical reason for a postconviction
petition fee to be listed in subsection (w), which deals with criminal offenses such as felony
complaints, traffic ordinance violations and bond forfeitures. Rather, it is clear that it is in
subsection (g)(2), which deals specifically with petitions "filed later than 30 days after the entry"
of "any final judgment or order" where a postconviction fee belongs. 705 ILCS 105/27.2a(g)(2)
(West 2004).
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No. 1-06-0038
judgment of his 16-year sentence and to obtain a modified sentence.
For these reasons, we find that the trial court's imposition of a $90 filing fee once it found
defendant's postconviction petition to be frivolous was proper.
III. Filing Fees as "Violative of Rights"
Defendant's final contention is that, even if the $90 fee for filing his postconviction petition
was authorized, the $105 amount charged by the trial court (the sum of $90 for his petition plus
$15 in mailing fees) pursuant to section 22-105 (735 ILCS 5/22-105 (West 2004)) should still be
vacated because that statute is unconstitutional in that it violates his due process and equal
protection rights. Regarding due process, defendant claims that this section unfairly discriminates
on the basis of poverty, creating a financial hurdle "uniquely burden[ing] indigent prisoners."
Defendant asserts that only indigent petitioners are impacted since they are the ones who "must
rely on [their] own assessment of the merits of [their] claim[s]" while at the same time they are the
ones who are most likely to be intellectually limited in deciphering and presenting their claims; this
results in a risk of incurring a financial penalty that they "cannot realistically" avoid and, thus, in a
"chill[ing]" of the assertion of their due process rights. Regarding equal protection, defendant
claims that section 22-105 must be reviewed under a strict scrutiny test, as the fundamental right
of access to the courts is involved. Defendant asserts that the section does not survive this test,
since there is no compelling reason in targeting prisoners to the exclusion of other indigent
petitioners (such as probationers or those on mandatory supervised release) and since the
provision is not narrowly tailored in that it imposes a penalty without regard to the number of the
petitioner's previous postconviction filings.
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No. 1-06-0038
In addressing a challenge to the constitutionality of a statute, we begin with the
presumption that the statute is constitutional. See People v. Malchow, 193 Ill. 2d 413, 418
(2000). If reasonably possible, a court must construe the statute so as to uphold its
constitutionality and validity. See Malchow, 193 Ill. 2d at 418. The party challenging the
statute's constitutionality has the burden of demonstrating its invalidity. See Malchow, 193 Ill. 2d
at 418. Whether the statute is constitutional is reviewed under a de novo standard. See
Malchow, 193 Ill. 2d at 418.
When a statute is challenged as unconstitutional under due process or equal protection,
our analysis is essentially the same. See People v. Williams, 358 Ill. App. 3d 363, 366 (2005)
(standards used to determine constitutionality under due process and equal protection "are
identical"); People v. Ragusa, 346 Ill. App. 3d 176, 182 (2004) (standards used to review due
process challenge are the same as those used to review equal protection challenge); accord People
v. Kimbrough, 163 Ill. 2d 231, 242 (1994). If the statute involves a fundamental right or a
suspect classification, we employ a strict scrutiny analysis wherein we must examine whether the
means used by the legislature (i.e., the statute) is necessary to achieve a compelling state interest
and whether the statute is narrowly tailored to accomplish that interest. See People v. Cornelius,
213 Ill. 2d 178, 204 (2004) (legislature must employ least restrictive means consistent with
attaining its goal). However, if the statute does not affect a fundamental constitutional right or
involve a suspect classification, the rational basis test applies to determine constitutionality. See
Cornelius, 213 Ill. 2d at 203; People v. Shephard, 152 Ill. 2d 489, 500 (1992). Under this
analysis, the challenged statute must simply bear a rational relationship to the purpose the
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No. 1-06-0038
legislature intended to achieve by enacting it. See Shephard, 152 Ill. 2d at 500; People v.
Windsor, 242 Ill. App. 3d 1030, 1033 (1993). We give high deference to the legislature in this
regard; we are not concerned with the wisdom of the statute or even if it is the best means to
achieve the goal, but only with whether there is any sort of conceivable basis for finding the
statute rationally related to a legitimate state interest. See People v. P.H., 145 Ill. 2d 209, 229
(1991); Windsor, 242 Ill. App. 3d at 1033.
It is clear to us that, contrary to defendant's contention, the proper analysis we are to
employ here in reviewing the constitutionality of section 22-105 is the rational basis test, not the
strict scrutiny test. First, neither indigent defendants nor prisoners comprise suspect
classifications. See Jenkins v. Leininger, 277 Ill. App. 3d 313, 324 (1995); accord People v.
Garvin, 152 Ill. App. 3d 438, 444 (1987), rev'd on other grounds, 121 Ill. 2d 576 (1988); see also
People v. Botruff, 212 Ill. 2d 166, 176-77 (2004) (suspect classifications include race, national
origin, sex and illegitimacy; in cases not involving these, rational basis test is to be used). Second,
while there is a fundamental right of access to the courts and to litigate claims, there is not a
fundamental right to do so without expense. See Crocker v. Finley, 99 Ill. 2d 444, 454-55 (1984)
(constitution does not guarantee to citizens right to litigate without expense; fees and taxes can be
imposed if related to operation and maintenance of courts). Our courts have reaffirmed this
principle in several instances. See, e.g., People v. Nicholls, 71 Ill. 2d 166 (1978) (assessing costs
against indigent defendants upon appeal); Fried v. Danaher, 46 Ill. 2d 475 (1970) (upholding fee
upon those requesting jury demand, even if jury is not subsequently empaneled); People v.
Maxon, 318 Ill. App. 3d 1209 (2001) (cash bail bond can be applied to appointed counsel fees
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No. 1-06-0038
even though the defendant is indigent).
Accordingly, in applying the rational basis test under a due process analysis, we note that
as long as the statute in question is reasonably designed to remedy the evils which the legislature
has determined to be a threat to the public health, safety and general welfare, it must be upheld.
See Williams, 358 Ill. App. 3d at 366-67; accord Schultz v. Lakewood Electric Corp., 362 Ill.
App. 3d 716, 720 (2005). Our legislature has made clear, by its enactment of various statutory
provisions, that, while it is willing to offer certain types of further relief to prisoners beyond their
trials and appeals, it is concerned with the number of frivolous petitions that may be filed seeking
such relief which, in turn, impacts the efficiency of our courts and the effectiveness of our
administrative process. See People v. Anderson, 352 Ill. App. 3d 934, 946 (2004) (various
provisions exist to "discourage frivolous petitions" for habeas corpus, mandamus, section 2-1401
relief and other pleadings likely to be employed by prisoners, including, specifically, section 22-
105 allowing for the assessment of filing fees and court costs against prisoners who file frivolous
pleadings); see also People v. Greer, 212 Ill. 2d 192, 208 (2004) (fees and costs provision of
Post-Conviction Hearing Act was meant to penalize defendants for filing frivolous petitions).
From this, it is our view that section 22-105 was rationally designed to remedy this
situation by making prisoners responsible for fees and costs associated with frivolous filings.
While it may not be perfect in every regard, this statutory section outlines a prisoner's
responsibility when filing a pleading, motion or other document and, in direct contradiction to
defendant's contention, does not "uniquely burden" indigent prisoners from filing claims. That is,
section 22-105 informs all prisoners, regardless of wealth, that they may not file a frivolous
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No. 1-06-0038
petition; it then outlines exactly what "frivolous" means so they can guard against such a
determination (see 735 ILCS 5/22-105(b) (West 2004)); and finally, it specifies that payment of
fees and costs charged when a petition is held to be frivolous is to be collected from that prisoner
only "when funds exist," only in the amount corresponding to his prison trust fund account, and
only until the fees are collected in full (735 ILCS 5/22-105(a) (West 2004) (setting out the
payment scheme based on prison trust fund account)). In fact, on this last point, section 22-
105(a) specifically states that "[n]othing in this Section prohibits an applicant from filing an action
or proceeding if the applicant is unable to pay the court costs." 735 ILCS 5/22-105(a) (West
2004).
Clearly, then, section 22-105 does not present a "financial hurdle" unfairly impacting
indigent petitioners. Rather, it simply charges fees and costs to the prison trust fund accounts of
all prisoners regardless of financial status and only if these funds exist, but ultimately never
prohibits them from exercising their postconviction relief rights. There is more than a conceivable
basis for finding that these provisions are rationally related to our state's interest in maintaining the
efficiency and administration of our legal system and, thus, we hold that section 22-105 does not
violate due process.2
2
It is unclear from defendant's brief on appeal whether he is challenging section 22-105
based on substantive or procedural due process. After reviewing his argument, it is our belief that
he has asserted substantive due process concerns, which we have dealt with above. However,
were he also attempting to raise procedural due process concerns, we would still find that section
22-105 is not violative of these. An attack on procedural due process focuses on the statute's
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No. 1-06-0038
Furthermore, defendant's contentions that section 22-105 violates equal protection
because it targets prisoners to the exclusion of others who may avail themselves of postconviction
relief and because it does not account for the number of postconviction petitions a defendant files
also fail here. In applying the rational basis test under an equal protection analysis, we note that,
while this principle requires the government to treat similarly situated individuals in a similar
fashion, it does not prevent the government from drawing distinctions between different
categories of people in enacting legislation. See People v. Coleman, 111 Ill. 2d 87, 95 (1986);
accord Schultz, 362 Ill. App. 3d at 727-28, quoting Wauconda Fire Protection District v.
Stonewall Orchards, LLP, 214 Ill. 2d 417, 434 (2005). In this regard, the statute at issue must
only have a rational basis for distinguishing the category of people to which it applies from the
category of people to which it does not. See Shephard, 152 Ill. 2d 500.
As defendant points out, section 22-105 applies only to "prisoner[s] confined in an Illinois
Department of Corrections facility." 735 ILCS 5/22-105(a) (West 2004). However, defendant's
assertion that this violates equal protection because it does not apply to probationers and those on
specific procedures and whether the statute provides an "opportunity to be heard at a meaningful
time and in a meaningful manner." In re Phillip C., 364 Ill. App. 3d 822, 831 (2006); accord P.H.,
145 Ill. 2d at 235. Thus, defendant would be required to show that section 22-105 deprived him
of a protected liberty or property interest. See Phillip C., 364 Ill. App. 3d at 831. Defendant had
his opportunity for trial, appeal, and to file his postconviction petition, and, as we have discussed,
section 22-105 orders him to pay fees only if funds exist in his prison trust fund; he fails to
indicate what more process he is "due." See, e.g., Phillip C., 364 Ill. App. 3d at 831-32.
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No. 1-06-0038
mandatory supervised release is incorrect. It is true that probationers and such releasees, along
with those released on appeal bond and those released from incarceration after filing a
postconviction petition, and of course prisoners, all may avail themselves of postconviction relief.
See People v. West, 145 Ill. 2d 517, 518-19 (1991) (though Post-Conviction Hearing Act states
that relief may be sought by those "imprisoned in the penitentiary," our case law has indicated that
imprisonment is not prerequisite). Yet, while postconviction relief does not belong exclusively to
prisoners, our very experience has demonstrated to us that it is, overwhelmingly, prisoners who
are filing postconviction petitions rather than any other category of people. It stands to reason,
then, that the incidence of frivolous petitions is considerably higher among prisoners, as they are
more likely to file petitions as a whole. This, coupled with the legislature's concern with the sheer
number of petitions that may be filed under the various statutory provisions allowing for
postconviction relief as we discussed earlier, clearly presents a more than reasonable basis for
distinguishing between prisoners, to which section 22-105 applies, and others seeking similar
relief such as probationers and releasees, to which it does not.
Finally, defendant's argument that section 22-105 "can hardly be considered narrowly
tailored" since it is not restricted to petitioners who repeatedly burden the courts with frivolous
claims is of no moment. As we have discussed, section 22-105, which does not involve a suspect
classification or a fundamental right, is not subject to a strict scrutiny analysis which would
require a review of whether it is narrowly tailored but, rather, a rational basis analysis which
requires only that the means the statute employs are rationally related to its purpose. Moreover,
we fail to see how defendant's insistence that section 22-105 should apply only to those who have
26
No. 1-06-0038
filed more than one postconviction petition is appropriate. Ironically, with this assertion,
defendant is asking that a classification be carved out to which section 22-105 is to be applied
(i.e., successive postconviction petitioners); this is in direct contradiction to his principle
argument that the more general classification of "prisoners" violated equal protection in the first
place because it did not include others who also have the option to avail themselves of
postconviction relief. Again, the legislature's enactment of section 22-105 and other similar fee
provisions came in response to its concern regarding the number of pleadings, motions and other
documents that would be filed seeking postconviction relief in general. That section 22-105 does
not distinguish between those who have filed one or more than one such petition further supports
this conclusion; regardless of how many times one may file a postconviction petition, each and
every one of them is always first reviewed to determine whether it is frivolous.
Therefore, based on all this, we find that section 22-105 does not violate any
constitutional due process or equal protection rights.
CONCLUSION
For all the foregoing reasons, we find that defendant's postconviction petition was
properly dismissed for failing to state any meritorious claims and that the $105 in fees and costs
was properly assessed against him. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Affirmed.
TULLY and O'MARA FROSSARD, JJ., concur.
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