Opinion ID: 2523874
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Consequences

Text: ¶ 153 Further, the court's avoidance of this plain-error issue is detrimental to a sound body of law and creates confusion for the bench and bar. By failing to adhere to settled law in determining when Boose error amounts to plain error, this court once again call[s] into question the proper analytical sequence used to review a particular assertion of error. People v. Sanders, 238 Ill.2d 391, 414, 345 Ill.Dec. 509, 939 N.E.2d 352 (2010) (Freeman, J., specially concurring, joined by Burke, J.) (discussing proper postconviction analysis). ¶ 154 This court's recent and unanimous decision in People v. Urdiales, 225 Ill.2d 354, 312 Ill.Dec. 876, 871 N.E.2d 669 (2007), is instructive. The defendant was shackled during his criminal trial. On appeal, the defendant contended that his shackling deprived him of due process and fundamental fairness. In response, the State contended that defendant procedurally forfeited the issue for review, and alternatively contended that no error occurred. Addressing `whether error occurred at all' ( id. at 415, 312 Ill.Dec. 876, 871 N.E.2d 669 (quoting People v. Wade, 131 Ill.2d 370, 376, 137 Ill.Dec. 608, 546 N.E.2d 553 (1989))), this court noted, inter alia, that the trial court made findings sufficient to justify the use of physical restraints ( id. ). ¶ 155 In the present case, this court should be guided by Urdiales. Initially, in Urdiales, the State actually contended that no error occurred at all. Here, this court sua sponte jumps onto this wagon. Also, in Urdiales, we correctly recognized that the defendant was actually shackled. Although the trial court did not hold a Boose hearing, we concluded that no error occurred because the trial court made findings indicating the need for shackling and, indeed, asked the defendant's trial counsel if he had any objection to the shackling. Thus, the determination that no error occurred was simply based on that record containing the same finding of a manifest need for restraints that a Boose hearing would have produced. In the present case, the record does not contain any finding justifying the need for Jonathon's shackles. ¶ 156 Additionally, it is no legal answer to rely on the presumption that the trial court in this case followed the law and acted properly regarding Jonathon's shackling. Supra ¶ 72. There can be no doubt that shackles impose physical burdens, pains, and restraints that tend to confuse and embarrass a defendant, burden his mental faculties and thereby materially abridge and prejudicially affect his constitutional rights. People v. Rippatoe, 408 Ill.App.3d 1061, 1067, 348 Ill.Dec. 825, 945 N.E.2d 132 (2011) (citing Deck, 544 U.S. at 631, 125 S.Ct. 2007). By avoiding the plain-error issue in the present case, the court not only calls into question the proper analysis for these claims, but also calls into question all existing case law on the subject. ¶ 157 Further, I observe that this court has codified its case law. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 430 mandates: An accused shall not be placed in restraint of any form unless there is a manifest need for restraint to protect the security of the court, the proceedings, or to prevent escape. Persons charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent until otherwise proven guilty and are entitled to participate in their defense as free persons before the jury or bench. Any deviation from this right shall be based on evidence specifically considered by the trial court on a case-by-case basis. Ill. S.Ct. R. 430 (eff. July 1, 2010). Although this court adopted Rule 430 subsequent to Jonathon's juvenile proceeding, the principles of Urdiales, Boose, and Staley had long been established and were binding on the trial court. It does not speak well of this court to codify these fundamental principles in a new supreme court rule, and then ignore them for the sake of convenience. The court's treatment of the Boose error in this case denigrates the very case law that the court sought to codify by adopting Rule 430. Consequently, I fear that a majority of this court will enforce Rule 430 in much the same way Rules 431 and 711 have been enforced, that is to say, the rule is nothing but a mere suggestion. This cavalier treatment of our rules not only undermines their force as law, but also erodes respect for judicial decisions. See In re Denzel W., 237 Ill.2d 285, 301, 341 Ill.Dec. 460, 930 N.E.2d 974 (2010) (Freeman, J., dissenting, joined by Burke, J.). ¶ 158 In the present case, the trial court knew or should have known that Jonathon was shackled during his juvenile proceeding. However, there was no hearing to determine whether the shackles were manifestly necessary. That was the Boose error. The parties agree that Boose error occurred. The court cannot make that fact disappear by refusing to acknowledge its existence. While such legerdemain can be entertaining, [2] it has no place in a judicial opinion. Therefore, I would hold that error occurred.