Opinion ID: 3134863
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Commitment Under Section 5–815(f) Without a Social Investigation Report

Text: In his request for cross-relief, B.L.S. contends that the appellate court erred in holding that a social investigation report was not required prior to committing him to the DOC. Respondent bases his claim on the mandatory language of section 5–705(1) of the Act (705 ILCS 405/5–705(1) (West 2000)), requiring the trial court to consider a social investigation report before committing a minor to the DOC. Section 5–705(1) of the Act specifies the circumstances to be considered in determining whether to make the minor a ward of the court. If the minor is made a ward of the court, then the trial court must determine the disposition best suited to the interests of the minor and the public. Section 5–705(1) further provides that the judge may rely on “[a]ll evidence helpful in determining these questions, including oral and written reports.” 705 ILCS 405/5–705(1) (West 2000). A social investigation report includes information of the minor’s physical and mental history and condition, family situation and background, economic status, education, occupation, personal habits, and history of delinquency or criminality. 705 ILCS 405/5–701 (West 2000). Thus, the social investigation report provides the trial court with information to assist in determining whether to make the minor a ward of the court and in determining an appropriate disposition for the minor. Here, the language of the statute clearly and unambiguously states that “[n]o order of commitment to the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Division, shall be entered against a minor before a written report of social investigation  is presented to and considered by the court.” 705 ILCS 405/5–705(1) (West 2000). There are no exceptions made for those situations when the judge lacks sentencing discretion. Therefore, a social investigation report must be prepared before sentencing any minor to the DOC, and the trial court erred by sentencing B.L.S. without the benefit of the report. In affirming the trial court, the appellate court erroneously held that a social investigation report was not required in this case. However, we may affirm the trial court’s decision on any basis established by the record. People v. Brownlee , 186 Ill. 2d 501, 511 (1999). We are instructed by Supreme Court Rule 615(a) (134 Ill. 2d R. 615(a)) that “[a]ny error, defect, irregularity, or variance which does not affect substantial rights shall be disregarded.” Rule 615(a) is applicable in juvenile appeals. In re W.C. , 167 Ill. 2d 307, 322 (1995). Here, the trial court had no sentencing discretion because, once B.L.S. was adjudicated an habitual juvenile offender, section 5–815(f) of the Act mandated that the trial court commit him to the DOC until his twenty-first birthday. Thus, a social investigation report would have served no purpose in the decision to enter the sentencing order and remandment for resentencing is not necessary because B.L.S. was not prejudiced by the absence of the report. We recognize that information provided in a social investigation report may be useful to the DOC and others involved in the ward’s care, treatment, and rehabilitation. However, B.L.S. has not raised such an argument, and we have been provided with no information that the DOC requires such a report. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court’s error in failing to order a social investigation report was harmless.