Court Opinion

ID: 3144157
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:02:06.617872+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:54:59.727816
License: Public Domain

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
                                          Appellate Court

                           People v. O’Laughlin, 2012 IL App (4th) 110018

Appellate Court              THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v.
Caption                      ROBERT E.D. O’LAUGHLIN, Defendant-Appellant.

District & No.               Fourth District
                             Docket No. 4-11-0018

Filed                        November 29, 2012

Held                         Defendant’s convictions for aggravated driving under the influence of
(Note: This syllabus         alcohol, driving while his license was revoked or suspended, and
constitutes no part of       aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer were affirmed,
the opinion of the court     but fines improperly imposed were vacated and the cause was remanded
but has been prepared        for the imposition of the appropriate fines and the application of the
by the Reporter of           presentence custody credit.
Decisions for the
convenience of the
reader.)

Decision Under               Appeal from the Circuit Court of Macon County, No. 10-CF-911; the
Review                       Hon. Lisa Holder White, Judge, presiding.

Judgment                     Affirmed in part and vacated in part; cause remanded with directions.
Counsel on                  Michael J. Pelletier, Karen Munoz, and Molly A. Corrigan, all of State
Appeal                      Appellate Defender’s Office, of Springfield, for appellant.

                             Jack Ahola, State’s Attorney, of Decatur (Patrick Delfino, Robert J.
                            Biderman, and Anastacia R. Brooks, all of State’s Attorneys Appellate
                            Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.

Panel                       JUSTICE POPE delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
                            Justices Steigmann and Cook concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                              OPINION

¶1          Defendant, Robert E.D. O’Laughlin, argues the Macon County circuit clerk improperly
        imposed various fines against him as a result of his convictions for aggravated driving under
        the influence of alcohol, driving while license revoked or suspended, and aggravated fleeing
        or attempting to elude an officer. The State concedes the circuit clerk erred in imposing
        certain fines. However, the State asks this court to remand the case to the trial court for it to
        impose certain mandatory fines. We affirm defendant’s conviction, vacate the fines
        improperly imposed by the circuit clerk, and remand this case with directions for the trial
        court to impose certain fines as directed and others if deemed appropriate.

¶2                                       I. BACKGROUND
¶3          Because defendant makes no argument with regard to his convictions, we need not
        address the facts leading to his arrest. In June 2010, the State charged defendant with
        aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(A) (West 2010))
        with four prior driving under the influence convictions (count I), driving while license
        revoked or suspended with nine prior convictions for driving while license revoked or
        suspended (625 ILCS 5/6-303(d-4) (West 2010)) (count II), aggravated driving under the
        influence of alcohol (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(G) (West 2010)) (count III), and aggravated
        fleeing or attempting to elude an officer (625 ILCS 5/11-204.1(a)(4) (West 2010)) (count
        IV).
¶4          On September 30, 2010, a jury found defendant guilty of aggravated driving under the
        influence of alcohol, driving while license revoked or suspended, and aggravated fleeing or
        attempting to elude an officer. In November 2010, the trial court sentenced defendant to the
        following concurrent terms of imprisonment: (1) 10 years for aggravated driving under the
        influence of alcohol; (2) 5 years for driving while license revoked or suspended; and (3) 3
        years for aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. In sentencing defendant,

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       the court stated: “There is a $1,000 Alcohol Enforcement Fund Fee, $100 Trauma Fund Fee,
       $5 Spinal Cord Research Fund Fee. [Defendant] is to pay the costs.” The court ordered
       defendant be given credit for time served between June 12, 2010, and November 14, 2010.
       In November 2010, defendant’s attorney filed a motion to reduce his sentence, which the trial
       court denied.
¶5         Sometime after sentencing, the circuit clerk imposed additional fines and fees on
       defendant. A supplement to the record on appeal lists the following fines and fees assessed
       against defendant: (1) “Clerk”–$115; (2) “Clerk Op Add-Ons”–$6.25; (3)
       “Automation”–$15; (4) “Document Storage”–$15; (5) “State Police Ops”–$15; (6) “State’s
       Atty”–$30; (7) “Court”–$50; (8) “Judicial Security”–$15; (9) “Youth Diversion”–$5; (10)
       “Child Advocacy Fee”–$14.25; (11) “Sheriff”–$120; (12) “Medical Costs”–$10; (13)
       “Nonstandard”–$9.50; (14) “Violent Crime”–$100; (15) “Anti-Crime Fund”–$10; (16)
       “Trauma Center”–$100; (17) “DUI Equipment”–$1,000; (18) “Spinal Cord Trust”–$5; (19)
       “Fire Prevention”–$15; (20) “Lump Sum Surcharge”–$250; and (21) “Firetruck Ln
       Fund”–$15. According to the circuit clerk, defendant’s fines and fees totaled $1,915. While
       this printout of fines and fees clearly reflected the $100 “Trauma Fund Fee” and $5 “Spinal
       Cord Research Fund Fee” imposed by the trial court, the record did not clearly reflect
       whether the $1,000 “Alcohol Enforcement Fund Fee” imposed by the court was included in
       the circuit clerk’s computerized printout.
¶6         This appeal followed.

¶7                                           II. ANALYSIS
¶8         On appeal, defendant does not challenge his convictions but only argues the circuit clerk
       erred in imposing certain fines and the trial court erred by not awarding him $780 in
       presentence custody credit. The State concedes the circuit clerk did not have authority to
       impose certain fines. People v. Swank, 344 Ill. App. 3d 738, 747-48, 800 N.E.2d 864, 871
       (2003) (imposing a fine is a judicial act). However, the State argues these fines were
       applicable and mandatory and should be imposed by the trial court on remand. See People
       v. Shaw, 386 Ill. App. 3d 704, 711, 898 N.E.2d 755, 762-63 (2008). Defendant challenges
       neither the applicability or mandatory nature of the fines nor the additional fines raised by
       the State.
¶9         In their initial briefs to this court, the parties failed to present the issues in a way that
       would permit us to provide guidance to the trial court on remand. As a result, this court
       ordered both defendant and the State to provide us with additional information, including the
       following: (1) the statutory authority for each fine and/or fee listed on the circuit clerk’s
       computer printout; (2) any fines and/or fees (with statutory authority) imposed by the trial
       court not reflected on the circuit clerk’s computer printout; (3) an argument on or concession
       of the applicability and mandatory nature of the fines and/or fees at issue in the appeal; and
       (4) a proposed calculation showing the total dollar amount of fines to be imposed on
       defendant on remand by the trial court.
¶ 10       In response, the office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD) and the State’s Attorneys
       Appellate Prosecutor (SAAP) provided the statutory authority for the fines and fees reflected

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       on the circuit clerk’s computer printout, as follows: (1) “Clerk”–705 ILCS
       105/27.1a(w)(1)(A), (F) (West 2010); (2) “Clerk Op Add-Ons” (included within the “Serious
       Traffic Violation Fee”)–625 ILCS 5/16-104d (West 2010); (3) “Automation”–705 ILCS
       105/27.3a(1) (West 2010); (4) “Document Storage”–705 ILCS 105-27.3c(a) (West 2010);
       (5) “State Police Ops”–705 ILCS 105/27.3a(1.5), (5) (West 2010); (6) “State’s Atty”–55
       ILCS 5/4-2002(a) (West 2010); (7) “Court”–55 ILCS 5/5-1101(c) (West 2010); (8) “Judicial
       Security”–55 ILCS 5/5-1103 (West 2010); (9) “Youth Diversion”–55 ILCS 5/5-1101(e)
       (West 2010); (10) “Child Advocacy Fee”–55 ILCS 5/5-1101(f-5) (West 2010); (11)
       “Sheriff”–55 ILCS 5/4-5001 (West 2010); (12) “Medical Costs”–730 ILCS 125/17 (West
       2010); (13) “Nonstandard” (a/k/a “Mental Health Court Fee”)–55 ILCS 5/5-1101(d-5) (West
       2010); (14) “Violent Crime”–725 ILCS 240/10(b) (West 2010); (15) “Anti-Crime
       Fund”–730 ILCS 5/5-6-3(b)(12), (13), 5-6-3.1(c)(12), (13) (West 2010); (16) “Trauma
       Center”–730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c-5) (West 2010); (17) “DUI Equipment”–625 ILCS 5/11-
       501.01(f) (West 2010); (18) “Spinal Cord Trust”–730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c-7) (West 2010); (19)
       “Fire Prevention” (included within the “Serious Traffic Violation Fee”)–625 ILCS 5/16-104d
       (West 2010); (20) “Lump Sum Surcharge” (a/k/a “Criminal Traffic Surcharge Penalty”)–730
       ILCS 5/5-9-1(c) (West 2010); and (21) “Firetruck Ln Fund” (included within the “Serious
       Traffic Violation Fee”)–625 ILCS 5/16-104d (West 2010).
¶ 11       The parties agree the fines imposed by the trial court are reflected on the circuit clerk’s
       computer printout. The State notes it could not locate any authority for what the trial court
       called the “Alcohol Enforcement Fund Fee.” However, the State notes the $1,000 assessment
       imposed by the trial court is what the circuit clerk’s computerized printout referred to as the
       “DUI Equipment” fine, which was authorized under section 11-501.01(f) of the Illinois
       Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-501.01(f) (West 2010)).
¶ 12       As for the applicability and mandatory nature of the other fines the State argues the trial
       court needs to impose on remand, the parties agree the following fines are applicable and
       mandatory in nature and should be imposed by the trial court on remand: (1) the $5 “Youth
       Diversion” fine (55 ILCS 5/5-1101(e) (West 2010)); (2) the “Violent Crime” fine (725 ILCS
       240/10(b) (West 2010)); (3) the “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c) (West
       2010)); (4) the $35 “Serious Traffic Violation” fine (625 ILCS 5/16-104d (West 2010)) (the
       circuit court’s computerized printout showed this fine split as follows: $15 for “Fire
       Prevention” Fund, $15 for “Firetruck Ln Fund,” and $5 for the “Clerk Op Add-Ons” Fund);
       (5) the $100 “Trauma Center” fund fine (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c-5) (West 2010)); (6) the $5
       “Spinal Cord Trust” fine (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c-7) (West 2010)); (7) the $1,000 “DUI
       Equipment” fine (625 ILCS 5/11-501.01(f) (West 2010)), and (8) the $10 “Medical Costs”
       fine (730 ILCS 125/17 (West 2010)). These fines were all reflected on the circuit clerk’s
       computer printout. The parties disagree over the amount of the “Violent Crime” fine and
       “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine.
¶ 13       Defendant concedes the $15 “State Police Ops” fine (705 ILCS 105/27.3a(1.5), (5) (West
       2010)) is mandatory and applicable if enacted by county board ordinance. Defendant’s
       appellate counsel could not confirm the Macon County board enacted an ordinance with
       regard to this fine. However, county board approval of this specific fine was not necessary
       because the county board approved the “Automation” fee (705 ILCS 105/27.3a(1) (West

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       2010)). As a result, this fine is applicable and mandatory and should be imposed on remand.
¶ 14        The parties also agree on the applicability and mandatory nature of the “Driver’s
       Education Fund” fine (625 ILCS 5/16-104a(a) (West 2010)). However, this fine was not
       included on the circuit clerk’s computer printout. The parties dispute how this fine should
       be calculated. The parties also dispute how the “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine (730 ILCS 5/5-
       9-1(c) (West 2010)), which was included on the circuit clerk’s computer printout, should be
       calculated on remand. We address the calculation of both of these fines later in this opinion.
¶ 15        The State also argues for the first time in its response to this court’s order for additional
       information that two additional fines not listed on the circuit clerk’s computer printout of
       fines and fees are also applicable to defendant in this case. Pursuant to section 5-9-1.17 of
       the Unified Code of Corrections (Corrections Code) (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1.17 (West 2010)), the
       State argues a mandatory and applicable $30 “Juvenile Records Fund Expungement” fine is
       to be imposed on defendant. Further, pursuant to section 5-9-1.18 of the Corrections Code
       (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1.18 (West 2010)), the State argues a $50 “Roadside Memorial Fund” fine
       is to be imposed on defendant. Defendant did not have the opportunity to concede or dispute
       the mandatory nature and applicability of these two fines. As a result, on remand, the trial
       court should hear arguments on the mandatory nature and applicability of these two fines.
       In addition, while the parties agreed a $35 “Serious Traffic Violation Additional” fine (625
       ILCS 5/16-104d (West 2010)) is applicable in this case, we note this fine was only $20 prior
       to September 20, 2010. The offenses at issue in this case were committed prior to September
       20, 2010. On remand, the trial court should determine whether the fine should be $20 or $35.
¶ 16        The State concedes the “Child Advocacy Fee” fine (55 ILCS 5/5-1101(f-5) (West 2010))
       and the “Nonstandard” (mental health court) fine (55 ILCS 5/5-1101(d-5) (West 2010)),
       which were imposed by the circuit clerk, are not applicable in this case because both of these
       fines were authorized by resolution after the offense at issue in this case was committed (see
       People v. Maxwell, 2011 IL App (4th) 100434, ¶ 105, 961 N.E.2d 964). Further, the State
       concedes the $10 “Anti-Crime Fund” fine (730 ILCS 5/5-6-3(b)(12), (13), 5-6-3.1(c)(12),
       (13) (West 2010)), which was also imposed by the circuit clerk, is not applicable in this case
       and should be vacated because defendant was sentenced to prison and not to probation. No
       statutory authority exists for its imposition in this case. We accept the State’s concession.
¶ 17        We next must determine how the trial court should calculate the “Driver’s Education
       Fund” fine (625 ILCS 5/16-104a(a) (West 2010)) and the “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine (730
       ILCS 5/5-9-1(c) (West 2010)). The State argues these two fines should be calculated on
       every individual fine imposed with the exception of the Violent Crime Victims Assistance
       Act (VCVA) fine (725 ILCS 240/10(b) (West 2010)), referred to on the circuit clerk’s
       computerized printout as “Violent Crime.” For example, according to the State’s brief, the
       trial court should impose a $4 and $10 surcharge for the “Driver’s Education Fund” fine and
       the “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine, respectively, based on the $5 “Youth Diversion” fine and
       a $4 and $10 surcharge for the “Driver’s Education Fund” fine and the “Lump Sum
       Surcharge” fine, respectively, based on the $10 “Medical Costs” fine. Defendant argues the
       “Driver’s Education Fund” fine and the “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine should be calculated
       on the gross amount of the sum of all the fines, not on each individual fine.

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¶ 18        How the “Driver’s Education Fund” fine (625 ILCS 5/16-104a(a) (West 2010)) and the
       “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c) (West 2010)) should be calculated
       presents a question of statutory interpretation. With regard to questions of statutory
       interpretation, our supreme court has stated:
            “Our primary objective is to ascertain and give effect to legislative intent, the surest and
            most reliable indicator of which is the statutory language itself, given its plain and
            ordinary meaning. [Citation.] In determining the plain meaning of statutory terms, we
            consider the statute in its entirety, keeping in mind the subject it addresses and the
            apparent intent of the legislature in enacting it. [Citation.] Where the language of the
            statute is clear and unambiguous, we must apply it as written, without resort to extrinsic
            aids to statutory construction. [Citation.]
                If the language is ambiguous, making construction of the language necessary, we
            construe the statute so that no part of it is rendered meaningless or superfluous.
            [Citation.] We do not depart from the plain language of the statute by reading into it
            exceptions, limitations, or conditions that conflict with the expressed intent.” People v.
            Perry, 224 Ill. 2d 312, 323-24, 864 N.E.2d 196, 204 (2007).
¶ 19        The State’s argument with regard to the meaning of section 16-104a(a) (“Driver’s
       Education Fund”) is based on the following sentence of that subsection, which states:
            “There is added to every fine imposed upon conviction of an offense reportable to the
            Secretary of State under the provisions of subdivision (a)(2) of Section 6-204 of this Act
            an additional penalty of $4 for each $40, or fraction thereof, of fine imposed.” 625 ILCS
            5/16-104a(a) (West 2010).
       The portion of section 5-9-1(c) (“Lump Sum Surcharge”) relied on the by State reads:
            “There shall be added to every fine imposed in sentencing for a criminal or traffic
            offense, except an offense relating to parking or registration, or offense by a pedestrian,
            an additional penalty of $10 for each $40, or fraction thereof, of fine imposed.” 730 ILCS
            5/5-9-1(c) (West 2010).
¶ 20        Defendant argues the General Assembly did not intend for the “Driver’s Education Fund”
       fine and the “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine to be assessed on each individual fine when a trial
       court imposes multiple fines on a defendant. Instead, defendant contends “the more logical
       interpretation of the word ‘every’ is simply a qualifier for all those cases where a fine is
       imposed.” According to defendant, courts have traditionally interpreted the statutes at issue
       to require the addition of all fines, followed by the division of the sum by 40, which would
       provide the multiplier for the calculation. Defendant cites People v. Curtis, 407 Ill. App. 3d
       1042, 944 N.E.2d 806 (2011), as support for this position.
¶ 21        In Curtis, the defendant argued the trial court erred in calculating her fines. Curtis, 407
       Ill. App. 3d at 1043, 944 N.E.2d at 808. The defendant argued her assessed criminal/traffic
       surcharge and victim’s-fund assessment should have only been $10 and $4, respectively,
       because her other fines totaled only $34. Curtis, 407 Ill. App. 3d at 1051, 944 N.E.2d at 815.
       The record reflected the defendant was assessed a $34 circuit clerk fine, a $10 mental-health-
       court fee, and a $10 child-advocacy fee. Curtis, 407 Ill. App. 3d at 1052, 944 N.E.2d at 815.
       The court noted “[t]he latter two assessments, however, are also considered fines, giving

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       defendant a total of $54 in other fines.” Id. The appellate court found that “pursuant to
       section 10(b) of the Violent Crimes Victims Assistance Act (725 ILCS 240/10(b) (West
       2008)) and section 5-9-1(c) of the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c) (West
       2008)), defendant was to be assessed $8 for a victim’s-fund assessment and $20 for a
       criminal/traffic surcharge.” Curtis, 407 Ill. App. 3d at 1052, 944 N.E.2d at 816. Contrary to
       how the State argues the “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c) (West 2010))
       should be calculated, the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s assessment of $20 for
       defendant’s “Lump Sum Surcharge” fine, which was based on the total amount of the fines
       assessed and not the amount of each individual fine. Curtis, 407 Ill. App. 3d at 1052, 944
       N.E.2d at 816. Granted, the appellate court in Curtis did not focus on the “every fine”
       language upon which the State relies.
¶ 22        We first note the two sentences relied on by the State are not clearly written. The plain
       language of each sentence– when read in isolation from the remainder of the two respective
       statutes– could support both the State’s interpretation and defendant’s interpretation of those
       sentences. However, we do not read individual sentences of statutes in isolation. When these
       two statutes are read as a whole, we conclude the General Assembly intended only one
       penalty pursuant to section 16-104a(a) and one penalty pursuant to section 5-9-1(c)
       calculated on the total sum of defendant’s other applicable fines.
¶ 23        Another portion of section 16-104a(a) of the Illinois Vehicle Code states: “Except as
       otherwise provided by Supreme Court Rules, if a court in sentencing an offender levies a
       gross amount for fine, costs, fees and penalties, the amount of the additional penalty provided
       for herein shall be computed on the amount remaining after deducting from the gross amount
       levied all fees of the Circuit Clerk, the State’s Attorney and the Sheriff.” 625 ILCS 5/16-
       104a(a) (West 2010). Section 5-9-1(c) of the Corrections Code also states in part: “Except
       as otherwise provided by Supreme Court Rules, if a court in imposing a fine against an
       offender levies a gross amount for fine, costs, fees and penalties, the amount of the additional
       penalty provided for herein shall be computed on the amount remaining after deducting from
       the gross amount levied all fees of the Circuit Clerk, the State’s Attorney and the Sheriff.”
       730 ILCS 5/5-9-1(c) (West 2010).
¶ 24        The General Assembly did not intend for a defendant’s fine to be different whether the
       trial court itemized a defendant’s fines or levied them in gross. On remand, the trial court
       should calculate these two fines based on the gross amount of applicable fines. After the trial
       court determines the appropriate “Driver’s Education Fund” fine and the “Lump Sum
       Surcharge” fine, the court will then need to calculate and impose the VCVA fine (725 ILCS
       240/10(b) (West 2010)).
¶ 25        The parties did not argue the circuit clerk erred in imposing the following charges: (1)
       $115 “Clerk” fee (705 ILCS 105/27.1a(w)(1)(A), (F) (West 2010)); (2) $15 “Automation”
       fee (705 ILCS 105/27.3a(1) (West 2010)); (3) $15 “Document Storage” fee (705 ILCS
       105/27.3c(a) (West 2010)); (4) $30 “State’s Atty” fee (55 ILCS 5/4-2002(a) (West 2010));
       (5) $50 “Court” fee (55 ILCS 5/5-1101(c) (West 2010)); (6) $15 “Judicial Security” fee (55
       ILCS 5/5-1103 (West 2010)); and (7) $120 “Sheriff” fee (55 ILCS 5/4-5001 (West 2010)).
       These fees total $360 and should continue to be assessed against defendant on remand.

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¶ 26       The parties also agree defendant is entitled to $780 in presentence custody credit pursuant
       to section 110-14(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (725 ILCS 5/110-14(a)
       (West 2010)). The trial court should credit this against defendant’s eligible fines.
¶ 27       For the convenience of the trial court on remand, we order OSAD and SAAP to provide
       the trial court with their responses to this court’s order of August 2, 2012.
¶ 28       In closing, we note the tremendous amount of resources expended in this case by OSAD,
       SAAP, this court, and soon the trial court, in trying to correctly determine and assess the
       myriad of fines and fees our legislature has created. We also note the very small likelihood
       of these fines and fees ever being paid where a defendant is sentenced to a term of
       imprisonment. Nevertheless, we are bound to follow these legislative mandates. We strongly
       recommend training for State’s Attorneys, public defenders, and their assistants, so that the
       appropriate fines and fees can be imposed correctly in the first instance. This is an area where
       development and use of a reliable computer software program could clearly assist the trial
       court in sorting out these fines and fees.

¶ 29                                   III. CONCLUSION
¶ 30       For the reasons stated, we affirm defendant’s convictions, vacate the fines improperly
       imposed on defendant by the circuit clerk, and remand for the trial court to calculate and
       impose the appropriate fines as directed and grant defendant $780 in presentence custody
       credit (725 ILCS 5/110-14(a) (West 2010)) against eligible fines. We order OSAD and
       SAAP to provide the trial court with their responses to this court’s order of August 2, 2012.
       Because the State successfully defended a portion of the criminal judgment, we grant the
       State its $50 statutory assessment against defendant as costs of this appeal.

¶ 31      Affirmed in part and vacated in part; cause remanded with directions.

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