Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Sentencing

Guilty Pleas and Parole: A Practitioner's Guide to People v Whitfield By Geoffrey Burkhart November 2011 Article, Page 580 Whitfield creates a remedy for defendants who took negotiated pleas without being told they must also do "mandatory supervised release" (aka parole). This article explores the law.
Fine raised for imposing absolute liability for misdemeanor crimes. PA 096-1198 July 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 336 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Criminal Code of 1961 to raise the fine when imposing absolute liability on a person who committed a misdemeanor offense that is not punishable by incarceration (720 ILCS 5/4-9).
First-time misdemeanor violators of the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act may elect to receive treatment. PA 096-1440. July 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 336 The Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act has been amended and expanded to allow not only addicts or alcoholics convicted of a crime but also first-time misdemeanor violators of the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act to choose to receive treatment under the supervision of a designated licensed program. (20 ILCS 301/40-5; 720 ILCS 690/4).
Death penalty is abolished. PA 096-1543 May 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 228 Illinois lawmakers have abolished the death penalty in Illinois and all existing sentences may not be imposed. (725 ILCS 5/119-1 new). All monies previously held in the Capital Litigation Trust Fund are now to be used to provide services for families of the victims of homicide and to provide training for law enforcement personnel.
Retail theft penalties adjusted. PA 096-1301 December 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 616  Penalties for theft have been adjusted by Illinois lawmakers to increase the value of property covered by minimum misdemeanor and felony sentencing. 720 ILCS 5/16-1.
Killing medical professionals on the job now an aggravating factor. PA 096-1475 November 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 564 The Criminal Code of 1961 has been amended to add an aggravating factor that can result in natural life imprisonment for a criminal offender. (720 ILCS 5/9-1)
Court Supervision after Padilla v Kentucky By Gary J. Ravitz July 2010 Article, Page 362 Lawyers who misinform clients about supervision could be in for trouble, especially when deportation is at stake.
Electronic Home Detention Program now available for juvenile offenders. PA 096-0293 July 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 348 Illinois lawmakers amended the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to allow electronic home detention as an appropriate form of sentencing for wards of the court. 705 ILCS 405/5-7A-101.
Penalties stiffened for animal and dog fighting. PA 096-0226 February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Illinois lawmakers in recent months stiffened penalties for activities associated with animal and dog fighting. 
New Law Clarifies Illinois' Sentencing Statutes By John J. Cullerton, Peter G. Baroni, Daniel S. Mayerfield, Ryan J. Rohlfsen, and Paul H. Tzur September 2009 Article, Page 466 A newly enacted reorganization of the Unified Code of Corrections helps bring sentencing up to date in Illinois.
Demystifying Illinois DUI Sentencing By Larry A. Davis July 2009 Article, Page 352 Presenting Illinois’ confusing DUI sentencing options as a chart enables practitioners to see at a glance which penalties their clients face.
No withdrawal allowed for a “blind plea” January 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 On October 26, 2007, the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Will County sentencing the defendant to 22 years for pleading guilty to two counts of first degree murder.
Challenging the Constitutionality of the Illinois Consecutive Sentencing Statute By Patrick Gallagher February 2007 Article, Page 96 The author argues that the Illinois consecutive sentencing statute violates the Sixth Amendment by allowing judges rather than jurors to make findings of fact that increase a defendant's punishment.
Police departments typically not "victims" under restitution statute July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 On April 6, 2006, the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, affirmed in part and vacated in part the decision of the Circuit Court of DuPage County to order defendant Danenberger to pay restitution to the Naperville Police Department (Department) as a condition of her probation for filing a false police report. 
Court Supervision in Traffic Cases: New Strategies for Amended Laws By Theodore J. Harvatin April 2006 Article, Page 192 What impact does supervision really have on your clients, especially commercial drivers? Make sure you're up to date.
Adding conditions to plea agreement after it is negotiated may violate defendant's due process rights March 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 118 On December 20, 2005, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, and vacated the sentence imposed by the Circuit Court of Cook County on the defendant.
Mandatory minimum sentence increased for domestic battery - PA 093-0809 June 2005 Illinois Law Update, Page 280 Effective on January 1, 2005, in addition to any other sentencing alternatives for a second or subsequent conviction for domestic battery, an individual will be automatically sentenced to a minimum of 72 consecutive hours in prison.
Sentencing guidelines: mandatory no more By Helen W. Gunnarsson April 2005 Lawpulse, Page 162 The U.S. Supreme Court shook up federal criminal practice by ruling in Booker/Fanfanthat sentencing guidelines are advisory only. Not surprisingly, many questions remain.
Probation in combination with imprisonment deemed acceptable punishment for offenders admitted into a drug court program P.A. 093-1014 December 2004 Illinois Law Update, Page 620 In an effort to advance both the rehabilitation of criminal offenders and public protection, the Illinois Unified Code of Corrections (IUCC) has been amended to assert that a term of imprisonment in combination.
A plea agreement cannot be rejected for lack of timeliness unless the defendant has been given advance notice of a deadline November 2004 Illinois Law Update, Page 568 On August 11, 2004, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, reversed the Circuit Court of Champaign County's conviction and sentence and remanded the case for further proceedings.
Will Blakely create sentencing chaos? By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2004 Lawpulse, Page 508 Federal and many state courts are holding off on sentencing hearings in the wake of Blakely, but the case will have limited impact on Illinois state courts. Find out why.
Trial court erred in ordering restitution based on a charge that was dismissed as part of plea agreement. March 2004 Illinois Law Update, Page 124 On December 30, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, vacated the order of the trial court ordering the defendant to pay restitution based on a criminal damage to property charge that was dismissed as a part of her plea agreement on other charges.
Aggravated battery cannot be the predicate offense for felony murder. January 2004 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 On October 17, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed in part, affirmed in part, and remanded the appellate court's decision to overturn the defendant's conviction of felony murder because it was improperly predicated upon aggravated battery.
Offense elements must be identical for a proportionate penalties clause challenge to succeed December 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 600 On September 18, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the portion of the appellate court's decision that vacated the defendant's extended-term sentence. 
Defendant who was absent at trial may file for appellate review pursuant to section 115-4.1(g) so long as appeal raises issues of fundamental fairness and due process September 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 436 On May 20, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, affirmed the order of the Circuit Court of Cook County convicting the defendant of theft by deception and sentencing him in absentia.
Provisions under P. A. 91-0404, imposing mandatory 15- and 20-year sentence enhancements for possession or personal discharge of a firearm in the commission of certain offenses, held unconstitutional September 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 436 On June 19, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court held that the provisions under P. A. 91-0404, §5, effective January 1, 2000.
Sentence in excess of maximum for involuntary manslaughter violates Apprendi, but subject to harmless error analysis where uncontradicted evidence in support of sentencing enhancement May 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 226 On February 6, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court held that the sentencing court's imposition of an enhanced sentence for involuntary manslaughter based on a judicial finding was harmless error.
Changes to penalties for heroin possession P.A. 92-0698 February 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 62 Effective July 19, 2002, amendments to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act provide that the illegal manufacture.
Legislation creates offense of sexual conduct or sexual contact with animal and increases potential sentence for defendants who commit criminal offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault with dangerous weapon P.A. 92-0721 February 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 62 On July 25, 2002, Gov. George H. Ryan signed into law House Bill 4926, which amends the Criminal Code of 1961 to do two separate things.
Multiple-murder sentencing statute violates proportionate penalties clause of Illinois Constitution when juvenile defendant convicted of two counts of first-degree murder based on accountability February 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 62 On November 21, 2002, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the trial court and concluded that, as applied to this juvenile defendant, the multiple-murder sentencing statute violated the proportionate penalties clause in article I, §11 of the Illinois Constitution.
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