Opinion ID: 1998232
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: analysis

Text: Statutes are presumed constitutional, and the party bringing a constitutional challenge to a statute has the burden of clearly establishing a constitutional violation. People v. Miller, 171 Ill.2d 330, 333, 216 Ill.Dec. 93, 664 N.E.2d 1021 (1996). In this case, defendants [2] argue that the penalty for the armed violence charges alleged in their indictments violates article I, section 2, of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, which provides: No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law nor be denied the equal protection of the laws. Ill. Const.1970, art. I, § 2. In addition, they contend that the penalty for these charges violates article I, section 11, which is commonly known as the proportionate penalties clause. This clause provides in relevant part: All penalties shall be determined    according to the seriousness of the offense   . Ill. Const.1970, art. I, § 11. The constitution empowers the legislature to declare and define conduct constituting a crime and to determine the nature and extent of punishment for it. People v. Steppan, 105 Ill.2d 310, 319, 85 Ill.Dec. 495, 473 N.E.2d 1300 (1985). The legislature is more aware of the evils confronting our society and therefore is more capable of measuring the seriousness of various offenses. People v. Koppa, 184 Ill.2d 159, 171, 234 Ill.Dec. 479, 703 N.E.2d 91 (1998). For these reasons, courts are reluctant to invalidate penalties established by the legislature. People v. Lee, 167 Ill.2d 140, 145, 212 Ill.Dec. 231, 656 N.E.2d 1065 (1995).