Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Jury Instructions
Voir Dire
Self-defense instruction is inappropriate where Defendant charged with traffic offense resisted arrest, by refusing to place her hands behind her back but instead keeping them clenched in front, and then officers used force (taser and wrestled defendant to the ground, eventually placing three sets of handcuffs). Though plain error occurred in court not informing one alternate juror, who was later empanelled, of all Zehr principles in voir dire, evidence on charge of resisting arrest was not closely balanced, thus did not deprive Defendant of fair trial. Court system fee of $5 should be refunded, as resisting arrest is not offense under Vehicle Code