Court Opinion

ID: 9819119
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 06:18:36.100063+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:41:51.216418
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE GARMAN, dissenting: I agree that if a standard of proof applies to a best-interests determination, then it is the preponderance of the evidence. As the majority notes, “sound discretion” does not identify a standard of proof. It is clear that two questions that the majority decides — whether “sound discretion” is a standard of proof and whether the correct standard of proof is the preponderance of the evidence — both presuppose an affirmative answer to the more basic question whether any standard of proof applies. Until that basic question is decided, it is premature to decide the standard of proof. The parties have failed to squarely raise and brief the question. Further, the majority opinion does not resolve the issue. I would require the parties to submit supplemental briefs addressing specifically whether there should be any standard of proof at a dispositional hearing, or whether the State’s burden is to present sufficient relevant evidence to enable the court to exercise its discretion to select the most appropriate alternative. The majority points out the State claims it presented “enough” evidence to support the decision to terminate respondent’s parental rights. 212 Ill. 2d at 355-56. However, the majority falsely assumes that only a standard of proof can answer the question how much is enough. To say the State must present “enough” evidence may mean that the State bears a burden of production, not that the State also bears the burden of persuading the court. That is, it may be the State’s burden is to present sufficient evidence relevant to the applicable legal criteria to provide an evidentiary basis upon which the court may exercise its discretion. See 705 ILCS 405/1 — 3(4.05) (West 2000) (listing factors court must consider in determining best interests). See also Boatmen’s National Bank of Belleville v. Martin, 155 Ill. 2d 305, 314 (1993) (stating that reviewing court must look to applicable legal criteria to determine whether trial court abused its discretion). Because it is possible the State’s burden is merely a burden of production, the majority has prematurely assumed some standard of proof is required. Another of the majority’s arguments suffers from the same defect. The majority points out the statute provides that, “ ‘The standard of proof and the rules of evidence in the nature of civil proceedings in this State are applicable to proceedings under this Article.’ ” 212 Ill. 2d at 353, quoting 705 ILCS 405/2 — 18(1) (West 2000). From this the majority concludes the statute “suggests” that one of the two standards of proof typical in civil proceedings must apply to a best-interests hearing. 212 Ill. 2d at 353. However, this assumes and does not prove that a best-interests hearing is the sort of proceeding in which some standard of proof must apply. In addition to offering arguments that assume some standard of proof must apply, the majority also argues that a best-interests determination should not be within the court’s discretion. The majority correctly points out that the decision to terminate parental rights is a very serious one and that, if it is a matter of judicial discretion, it may be reviewed only for abuse of that discretion. 212 Ill. 2d at 357. The majority then suggests that judicial rulings reviewed for abuse of discretion traditionally concern only control of the courtroom and maintaining the progress of litigation. 212 Ill. 2d at 356-57 (providing examples of rulings within the court’s discretion). The majority concludes that the decision to permanently and completely sever a parent-child relationship “is plainly not the type of ruling to which the highly deferential abuse of discretion review traditionally applies.” 212 Ill. 2d at 357. I agree the decision whether to terminate parental rights is a very grave one. However, the majority’s list of discretionary decisions suffers from a glaring omission. In a criminal case, the decision to impose a particular sentence within the range permitted by statute is a matter of judicial discretion. People v. La Pointe, 88 Ill. 2d 482, 492 (1981). It seems beyond dispute that sentencing decisions are often every bit as grave as the decision whether to terminate parental rights. Nevertheless, “[sentencing courts have traditionally heard evidence and found facts without any prescribed burden of proof at all.” McMillan v. Pennsylvania, 477 U.S. 79, 91, 91 L. Ed. 2d 67, 80, 106 S. Ct. 2411, 2419 (1986). Moreover, it is noteworthy that, just as a person may be punished for a crime only after he is convicted according to the standard of proof required by due process, parental rights may be terminated only after the parent is found unfit by clear and convincing evidence, the standard of proof that due process requires. See 705 ILCS 405/2 — 29(2) (West 2000) (requiring finding of unfitness by clear and convincing evidence); Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 769, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599, 617, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 1403 (1982) (holding that due process requires finding of permanent neglect under New York law be supported by clear and convincing evidence). Finally, in juvenile delinquency proceedings, the sentencing hearing is a best-interests hearing, albeit one in which the best interests of both the juvenile and the public are considered. 705 ILCS 405/ 5 — 705(1) (West 2002). In sum, because of the analogy with sentencing, which the majority fails to discuss, it is far from clear that the best-interests determination is not a matter of discretion to which no standard of proof applies. Not only do I believe the majority’s arguments are insufficient, I find at this point some positive reason to believe that discretion is appropriate at a best-interests hearing. The majority correctly notes that a standard of proof has to do with “the degree of confidence the trial judge must have in the correctness of his or her factual conclusions concerning the child’s best interests.” 212 111. 2d at 355. However, the ultimate decision about a child’s best interests does not appear to be primarily a matter of “factual conclusions.” Of course, the court’s decision should be based on facts. However, the ultimate decision is largely a matter of weighing conflicting values and applying policy judgments to the facts. The factors the statute directs courts to consider support that conclusion. Courts must consider, inter alia, “the development of the child’s identity” (705 ILCS 405/1 — 3(4.05)(b) (West 2000)), and “the uniqueness of every family and child” (705 ILCS 405/1 — 3(4.05)(h) (West 2000)). I suggest questions of “identity” and “uniqueness,” and perhaps other factors as well, are largely value judgments. These are values chosen by the legislature and embodied in the statute. Identifying and weighing the values at stake is a matter of judgment. If the best-interests determination is largely a matter of judgment and not merely fact-finding, then it seems a standard of proof, which relates to factual conclusions, may impair the ability to achieve the goal that best serves the child’s interests. Finally, the potential consequences of the majority’s decision should give us pause. The majority’s decisions heightens the scrutiny reviewing courts apply to best-interests rulings. In the face of more intense review, courts will likely be more reluctant to take the step of terminating parental rights. Because the majority has made its decision without adequate briefing on a crucial question, I fear we may needlessly hamper our trial courts in the exercise of their duty to protect children like D.T. For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent. JUSTICE THOMAS joins in this dissent.