People v. Stevenson

Defendant was convicted of aggravated driving while under the influence and argued on appeal that his speedy trial rights were violated because the State filed additional felony charges almost a year after the initial indictment. Defendant also argued that the circuit court erred when it denied him the opportunity to be sentenced under a new, favorable sentencing provision where the change in law occurred while his motion to reconsider sentence was pending. The appellate court affirmed, finding that defendant failed to meet his statutory requirement to make an effective demand for trial and that the new sentencing scheme did not apply because defendant was sentenced prior to the effective date of the new law (McDADE and HETTEL, concurring)