Illinois Official Reports

Appellate Court

People v. MacTaggart, 2019 IL App (3d) 160583

Appellate Court 

Caption

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. 

SCOTT A. MacTAGGART, Defendant-Appellant.

District & No. Third District 

No. 3-16-0583

Filed September 16, 2019

Decision Under 

Review

Appeal from the Circuit Court of Whiteside County, No. 13-CF-365; 

the Hon. Stanley B. Steines, Judge, presiding.

Judgment Conviction vacated; cause reversed and remanded.

Counsel on

Appeal

James E. Chadd, Peter A. Carusona, and James Wozniak, of State 

Appellate Defender’s Office, of Ottawa, for appellant.

Terry A. Costello, State’s Attorney, of Morrison (Patrick Delfino, 

David J. Robinson, and Thomas D. Arado, of State’s Attorneys 

Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.

Panel JUSTICE O’BRIEN delivered the judgment of the court, with 

opinion.

Justice Carter concurred in the judgment and opinion.

Justice Holdridge dissented, with opinion.
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OPINION

¶ 1 Defendant Scott MacTaggart was charged with criminal sexual assault and one count of 

sexual relations within families. The trial court appointed the public defender to represent 

MacTaggart. After $25,000 bond was posted on MacTaggart’s behalf, the trial court dismissed 

the public defender, finding MacTaggart was not indigent. MacTaggart proceeded to trial with 

private counsel and was convicted by the jury and sentenced to a nine-year term of 

imprisonment. He appeals his conviction. We vacate MacTaggart’s conviction, reverse, and 

remand.

¶ 2 I. BACKGROUND

¶ 3 Defendant Scott MacTaggart was charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and 

one count of sexual relations within families. 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20(a)(2), 11-11 (West 2014). 

He was arrested on January 7, 2014, and the court set his bond at $250,000, with 10% to apply. 

MacTaggart submitted a financial affidavit that indicated he was unemployed, with monthly 

expenses of more than $1000 and assets of $17,106—which included his vehicle, checking 

account balance, household contents, personal property, and cash on hand—and he had had 

liabilities of $15,000, consisting of his vehicle loan. The trial court found MacTaggart was 

indigent and appointed the public defender to represent him.

¶ 4 On January 10, 2014, the public defender entered an appearance on MacTaggart’s behalf. 

Also on January 10, MacTaggart’s mother posted bond. On January 16, 2014, MacTaggart 

waived his right to a preliminary hearing, was arraigned, and entered a not guilty plea. The trial 

court entered several pretrial orders. Thereafter, discovery took place. On February 27, 2014, 

the State filed a motion to reconsider the appointment of the public defender, arguing that 

MacTaggart’s financial circumstances had changed since the court appointed the public 

defender.

¶ 5 A hearing took place on the State’s motion. The trial court and public defender determined 

that MacTaggart should proceed pro se, and the appointed public defender, although present, 

did not represent MacTaggart at the hearing. The State argued that because a $25,000 bond was 

posted, MacTaggart could not be considered indigent and had the $25,000 available to obtain 

private counsel. MacTaggart informed the court that he needed the public defender, he 

personally had no money, he had not obtained the bond money himself, and he could not afford 

an attorney.

¶ 6 The trial court reviewed MacTaggart’s financial affidavit and noted that he had no income 

but did have expenses. However, it determined that it could properly consider the “ability to 

get credit from a bank or the availability to get credit from friends and family” in deciding 

whether MacTaggart was indigent, noting it was “obvious” to the court that MacTaggart had 

“the resources available to him, the availability to get loans from friends or family.” The trial 

court dismissed the public defender, finding MacTaggart was not indigent since he was able to 

secure the $25,000 bond. The court questioned MacTaggart as to how long he would need to

obtain counsel, to which MacTaggart replied that he did not know because he had no funds to 

pay for counsel. The trial court instructed MacTaggart to inform a potential attorney that there 

was $25,000 bond potentially available to pay attorney fees. MacTaggart thereafter hired 
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private counsel, who filed an appearance and a motion for bond assignment, seeking $15,000 

of the bond.

¶ 7 A jury trial took place, and the jury found MacTaggart guilty of both charged offenses. A 

sentencing hearing was held on April 8, 2016. The State sought a nine-year sentence and fines 

of $25,000, in addition to other fines and fees. The defense asked for the statutory minimum 

sentences and reminded the court that counsel’s only source of compensation was the bond 

amount. A $25,000 fine, as requested by the State, would take counsel’s entire compensation. 

MacTaggart did not address the court. The court imposed a nine-year term of imprisonment, 

with an indefinite mandatory supervised release (MSR) term of three years to natural life, and 

fines and fees in the amount of $16,684. The court found MacTaggart to be a sex offender and 

required him to comply with the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) (730 ILCS 150/1 

et seq. (West 2016)).

¶ 8 MacTaggart moved to reconsider his sentence and for a new trial. A hearing took place. 

The trial court denied MacTaggart’s motion for a new trial, granted his motion to reconsider 

the sentence, and vacated the $10,000 fine, leaving an amount due of $6684. On September 26, 

2016, MacTaggart filed an untimely notice of appeal. He completed a financial affidavit 

indicating that he had no assets, no income, and monthly expenses of $400. The trial court 

appointed the appellate defender to represent MacTaggart on appeal. On October 13, 2016, 

appellate counsel moved to file a late notice of appeal and filed a new notice of appeal. This 

court granted leave for a late notice of appeal on October 28, 2016.

¶ 9 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 10 The issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred when it found MacTaggart was not 

indigent and dismissed the public defender. MacTaggart argues that the trial court’s rulings 

were improper and challenges the trial court’s errors as violating his right to counsel of his 

choice. The framework in which he presents his challenge is a violation of his sixth 

amendment right to counsel. 

¶ 11 MacTaggart failed to timely raise this issue in a posttrial motion, and it is thus forfeited. 

People v. Herron, 215 Ill. 2d 167, 175 (2005). MacTaggart urges this court to consider the 

issue under plain error review. Under the plain error doctrine, a reviewing court may consider a 

forfeited error under two circumstances: (1) where the evidence at trial was closely balanced 

such that the error improperly tipped the scales of justice or (2) where the error was so serious 

that it affected the trial’s fairness or threatened the integrity and reputation of the judicial 

process. Id. at 178-79. In order for either prong to apply, there must first be error that is clear or 

obvious. People v. Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d 551, 565 (2007). Accordingly, we begin by 

examining whether the trial court’s denial of appointed counsel was clear or obvious error.

¶ 12 A defendant is entitled to the assistance of counsel. U.S. Const., amend. VI; Ill. Const. 

1970, art. I, § 8. This right includes the right to retained counsel of choice. United States v. 

Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140, 147-48 (2006); People v. Baez, 241 Ill. 2d 44, 104-05 (2011). 

The denial of a defendant’s right to counsel of his choice raises concerns about the integrity of 

the judicial process. People v. Howard, 376 Ill. App. 3d 322, 338 (2007). The violation of a 

defendant’s right to counsel of his choice is a structural error. Baez, 241 Ill. 2d at 105.

¶ 13 An indigent defendant who is facing criminal charges punishable by more than a fine is 

entitled to the appointment of a public defender. 725 ILCS 5/113-3(b) (West 2014). To qualify 

for appointment of counsel, the defendant must complete a financial affidavit presenting his 
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assets and liabilities to enable the court to determine if he is indigent. Id. A determination of 

indigency should be made after the court reviews a complete picture of the defendant’s 

financial circumstances. People v. Ellis, 309 Ill. App. 3d 443, 446 (1999). The decision on 

whether to appoint counsel must be made “always with an eye toward protecting the rights of 

the accused.” Id. A trial court should favor appointment of counsel, and its failure to do so is 

viewed as a serious deprivation. Id.

¶ 14 It is improper for the trial court to make an indigency determination without a specific 

inquiry into the defendant’s ability to pay for private counsel. People v. Adams, 388 Ill. App. 

3d 762, 768 (2009). This court reviews a trial court’s determination on a defendant’s indigency 

for an abuse of discretion. People v. Abernathy, 399 Ill. App. 3d 420, 427 (2010) (citing 

Adams, 388 Ill. App. 3d at 767). Whether a defendant’s right to counsel was denied is reviewed 

de novo. Id.

¶ 15 The posting of bail does not preclude the indigency of the defendant. People v. Wood, 91 

Ill. App. 3d 414, 419 (1980). Bail is commonly posted by friends, family, and other supporters, 

and the court cannot presume that the bond funds are available to the defendant. Id. Provisions 

for bail do not mandate that funds made available by others are necessarily dedicated to the 

defendant’s attorney fees. People v. Valdery, 41 Ill. App. 3d 201, 204 (1976). Bond money 

may be presumed to belong to the defendant only as to fines, costs, and judgments against him. 

People v. Mompier, 276 Ill. App. 3d 393, 398 (1995). “Bail deposits are not presumptively the 

defendant’s, for example, for purposes of paying attorney fees.” Id.

¶ 16 Here, the trial court failed to make a complete inquiry into MacTaggart’s financial 

circumstances. It presumed that because bond money of $25,000 was posted to secure 

MacTaggart’s liberty, he had “credit” available from friends and family to cover counsel fees. 

MacTaggart himself rebutted this presumption with his attempted explanation to the court that 

the bond money did not belong to him and that he was not able to secure funds to pay for an 

attorney. According to MacTaggart, he had no funds for private counsel. His financial affidavit 

supported his claims, indicating he was unemployed, owned a vehicle with a value of 

approximately $15,000 on which he owed $15,000, owned other assets worth approximately 

$2000, and had monthly expenses of approximately $1000.

¶ 17 At the hearing on the State’s motion to reconsider the appointment of the public defender, 

MacTaggart was forced to appear pro se, as both his counsel and the court determined the 

public defender should not argue in MacTaggart’s behalf. By precluding MacTaggart the 

assistance of counsel at a hearing regarding his right to the assistance of counsel, MacTaggart 

was deprived of his statutory right to any representation at the hearing. MacTaggart 

acknowledged his legal inabilities at the hearing. Despite the presence of one of his parents, 

who posted the bail, and the court’s suggestion that MacTaggart call that person as a witness, 

MacTaggart did not call any witnesses. He stated that he would not know what to ask them. 

Had MacTaggart been represented at the hearing by his appointed counsel, MacTaggart’s 

parent and other family and friends could have been questioned about the posted bail money 

and their financial ability and willingness to provide funds for MacTaggart to use to hire a 

private attorney.

¶ 18 Although MacTaggart was able to secure private counsel based on an assignment of the 

bond to the attorney, we consider the denial of the appointment of the public defender was 

improper and violated his right to counsel. In arguing its motion to dismiss the public defender, 

the State offered its belief that MacTaggart’s mother would make some money available so 
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MacTaggart could hire private counsel. The State urged that MacTaggart’s ability to “get his 

hands on bail money” established his ability to obtain money for private counsel. The State 

also suggested that MacTaggart could surrender himself, clearing the entire bail amount for 

counsel. MacTaggart explained he did not have either money for an attorney or access to such 

money. Without supporting evidence and contrary to MacTaggart’s claims, the court presumed 

that MacTaggart’s family and friends could “extend him credit” for his attorney fees. It noted 

that MacTaggart had no income and did have expenses, but under the court’s definition of 

indigent, which was “without sufficient income or resources in which to hire an attorney,” he 

was not indigent. The court then determined that MacTaggart’s friends and family were his

resources for attorney fees.

¶ 19 We acknowledge that the right to counsel of one’s choice has not been extended to 

defendants who require the services of appointed counsel, and we decline MacTaggart’s 

invitation to extend the right to appointed counsel of one’s choice. Nevertheless, under the 

facts of this case, the court’s determination that because MacTaggart’s bond was posted by his 

parents, he was no longer indigent was improper. The options presented to MacTaggart were to 

proceed pro se, surrender himself so bond was available for private counsel, or depend on the 

generosity of his parents to allow their bail money to pay private counsel to represent him are 

not accurate statements of the law.

¶ 20 Because MacTaggart was required to appear pro se at the hearing to determine his 

indigency, no financial information other than his affidavit was elicited at the hearing. The 

affidavit establishes that MacTaggart was indigent, with no job, few assets, and no money. The 

court improperly presumed, despite MacTaggart’s rebuttal, that he could afford private 

counsel because his family posted the bond money. It should have considered whether 

MacTaggart was indigent based on a complete picture of MacTaggart’s finances, and not that 

of his parents, who posted the bond money. We find that the trial court committed plain error 

when it granted the State’s motion to reconsider the appointment of counsel for MacTaggart 

and dismissed the public defender. We further find this error was structural and affected the 

integrity of the justice system. Accordingly, we vacate MacTaggart’s conviction and reverse 

and remand.

¶ 21 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 22 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Whiteside County is 

vacated, and the cause reversed and remanded.

¶ 23 Conviction vacated; cause reversed and remanded.

¶ 24 JUSTICE HOLDRIDGE, dissenting:

¶ 25 I respectfully disagree with the majority’s finding that reversible error occurred when the 

trial court determined that the defendant was no longer indigent after $25,000 cash bail had 

been provided to him by his mother. As the majority observes, whether a defendant is indigent, 

and thus entitled to representation by a public defender, is a matter for the trial court’s 

determination following a specific inquiry into the defendant’s ability to pay for private 

counsel. Adams, 388 Ill. App. 3d at 768. Moreover, as the majority also observes, a trial court’s 

determination regarding whether a defendant is indigent is subject to an abuse of discretion 

standard of review. Abernathy, 399 Ill. App. 3d at 427. Here, the record established that the 
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trial court made a specific inquiry into the defendant’s ability to pay for private counsel after 

the cash bail was posted. Specifically, a hearing was held at which the question of the 

availability of the cash to pay for private counsel was addressed by the trial court. Thus, the 

only question before this court is whether the trial court abused its discretion in determining 

that the funds were available to the defendant to hire private counsel. A trial court decision is 

considered an abuse of discretion only when it is arbitrary, fanciful, or unreasonable, or where 

no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial court. People v. Dunmore, 389 

Ill. App. 3d 1095, 1105 (2009). 

¶ 26 At issue is whether the trial court abused its discretion in finding that the defendant had 

access to the cash bail based on the facts of this particular case. I would find that the trial 

court’s finding that the cash bail posted by the defendant’s mother was available for payment 

of fees to private counsel was not an abuse of discretion. I would thus find that no error 

occurred necessitating a plain error analysis. I would further note that, if the trial court properly 

determined that the defendant was not entitled to appointment of a public defender, then his 

constitutional right to counsel of his choice was not violated. See Adams, 388 Ill. App. 3d at 

767 (finding of indigence is a precondition to the right to an appointed public defender).

¶ 27 As the majority observes, the mere posting of cash bail does not preclude a finding that a 

defendant is indigent for purposes of appointing a public defender; rather, there is a 

presumption that cash bail posted by friends, family, or other supporters in not available for 

payment of attorney fees. Mompier, 276 Ill. App. 3d at 398. Indeed, sound reason exists to 

support this presumption, since the willingness of a party to post cash bail for a defendant 

depends, at least in part, on the likelihood that those funds will be returned when the defendant 

complies with the conditions of his release on bail. Wood, 91 Ill. App. 3d at 419. However, the 

presumption that cash bail posted by a third party is not available for payment of attorney fees 

is rebuttable where the trial court finds that the party donating the funds intended the funds to 

be available for payment of attorney fees. See Mompier, 276 Ill. App. 3d at 398.

¶ 28 Here, the record established that the defendant’s mother executed a written 

acknowledgment at the time she posted the cash bail, in which she stated that she understood 

“that the Court may order that the bail I have posted may be used to pay any and all bail bond 

costs, fines, other costs, assessments, attorney fees, and/or restitution.” The record further 

established that the defendant’s mother was not called to testify at the hearing where the trial 

court determined whether the defendant was indigent after she posted the cash bail. Given the 

written acknowledgment that the funds were available to pay attorney fees, and the lack of 

testimony regarding her understanding of the written acknowledgment, it cannot be said that 

the trial court abused its discretion in finding that these funds were available to the defendant. I 

would find the record sufficiently supports the trial court’s ruling regarding the defendant’s 

ability to pay for private counsel. I would find, therefore, that no error occurred that 

necessitated this court’s review under a plain error theory. See People v. Cosby, 231 Ill. 2d 

262, 273 (2008) (absent error there can be no plain error). 

¶ 29 The majority commented on the defendant’s lack of representation at the hearing on the 

State’s motion to reconsider his eligibility for appointed counsel as an added basis for finding 

error. I share the concern that, had the defendant been represented at that hearing, the outcome 

might have been different. The record established that the defendant had appointed counsel of 

record at the time of the hearing. However, counsel, with the approval of the trial court, chose 

not to participate in the hearing. Whether counsel’s actions constituted a violation of the 
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defendant’s constitutional right to adequate representation is a matter best left to adjudication 

under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2016)). See People v. 

Domagala, 2013 IL 113688, ¶¶ 35-36.