Court Opinion

ID: 9725884
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 12:17:58.332605+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:21.123004
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE KUEHN, specially concurring: Since a jury found beyond a reasonable doubt that facts necessary to expose this defendant to the punishment imposed did occur, I do not believe that his sentence is unconstitutional. See People v. Ford, 198 Ill. 2d 68, 761 N.E.2d 735 (2001). However, I do believe that he should be able to raise that question, even though the judgment that imposed that punishment has already been reviewed and affirmed. I write separately to side with those of my colleagues who have held that no person should be held in prison, without recourse, for the commission of a criminal offense that was neither charged nor proven to the satisfaction of 12 fellow citizens. See People v. Beachem, 317 Ill. App. 3d 693, 740 N.E.2d 389 (2000); People v. Rush, 322 Ill. App. 3d 1014, 757 N.E.2d 88 (2001). While I am mindful of the State’s interest in finality, we confront a new constitutional rule grounded in principles so basic to the concept of ordered liberty that everyone should be afforded its protection. When the United States Supreme Court established the limited path to the collateral review of a new constitutional rule, it held that prisoners could avail themselves of the rule’s protection only if the rule required the observance of procedures implicit in the concept of ordered liberty. Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288, 103 L. Ed. 2d 334, 109 S. Ct. 1060 (1989). I cannot imagine what kind of new constitutional rule could fit within this exception if the rule set forth in Apprendi does not meet its criteria. See Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 147 L. Ed. 2d 435, 120 S. Ct. 2348 (2000). If our professed goal is justice and that goal must be reached through a process that ensures fundamental fairness to everyone, we had better pause at the thought of punishing people for crimes that were never charged and for misconduct that was never found to exist by a method we deem constitutionally fair and sound. What kind of procedures implicitly form our view of ordered liberty if we can allow for punishment without charge or proof? I would hold that those people being punished under circumstances that offend the rule set forth in Apprendi should be afforded the opportunity to pursue relief. Accordingly, I specially concur.