Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Right to Counsel
Court abused its discretion in denying request of Defendant, who had been indicted for delivery of a controlled substance 70 days prior, on day set for bench trial that case be continued so he could retain private counsel. Court erred in failing to inquire into Defendant's reasons for wanting new counsel or any efforts he made to find new counsel. Defendant had never previously requested continuance, and no evidence that request was a delay tactic.(NEVILLE and SIMON, concurring.)