Opinion ID: 2525503
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Ziobro

Text: On June 6, 2008, following a traffic accident, defendant James Ziobro was issued citations for driving under the influence (625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(1), (a)(2) (West 2006)), failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident (625 ILCS 5/11-601(a) (West 2006)), and operating an uninsured vehicle (625 ILCS 5/3-707 (West 2006)). The arresting officer set the initial court appearance date for August 7, 2008-62 days after the arrest. Defendant filed an appearance, along with a demand for jury trial and a speedy-trial demand, on July 23, 2008. Because the case had not yet been set for trial and a new appearance date had not yet been set, defendant appeared on August 7 (the original appearance date set on the ticket), announced ready for trial, and filed a motion to dismiss the charges based on the violation of Rule 504, which requires that a defendant's first appearance be set no later than 60 days after the date of arrest. The motion to dismiss was granted on August 28, and the cause was dismissed with prejudice. The record reflects that the trial court found that Section 504 was violated and, therefore, [granted] the motion to dismiss by the defendant, citing People v. Walter, 335 Ill.App.3d 171, 269 Ill.Dec. 116, 779 N.E.2d 1151 (2002), and People v. Alfonso, 191 Ill.App.3d 963, 139 Ill.Dec. 67, 548 N.E.2d 452 (1989). The court then concluded that, because the State had not moved to nol-pros during the 60-day window, which would have allowed it to refile the action, there was no reason to allow a refiling in this case. The court therefore dismissed the cause with prejudice.