People v. Bass

Defendant appealed from the second-stage dismissal of his post-conviction petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel in plea negotiations and at trial. Defendant claimed that counsel never met with him privately and misinformed him about the State’s evidence, leading him to reject a 20-year plea offer and to instead receive a 55-year sentence after a jury trial for first-degree murder. The appellate court reversed, finding defendant alleged a substantial showing of a constitutional violation relating to his claim because of counsel’s alleged failure to privately consult with him and inform him of the State’s evidence and affirmed the remaining issues. (MIKVA and ODEN JOHNSON, concurring)