Court Opinion

ID: 4163212
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-25 20:10:51.335624+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:23:58.074095
License: Public Domain

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                                    Supreme Court                             Date: 2017.04.24
                                                                              10:19:39 -05'00'

                     People ex rel. Glasgow v. Carlson, 2016 IL 120544

Caption in Supreme     THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS ex rel. JAMES W.
Court:                 GLASGOW, Petitioner, v. HONORABLE DAVID M. CARLSON
                       et al., Respondents.

Docket No.             120544

Filed                  December 1, 2016

Decision Under         Original action for mandamus.
Review

Judgment               Judgment of mandamus awarded.

Counsel on             Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield (Carolyn E. Shapiro,
Appeal                 Solicitor General, and Michael M. Glick and Evan B. Elsner, Assistant
                       Attorneys General, of Chicago, of counsel), for petitioner.

                       No brief filed for respondents.

Justices               JUSTICE KILBRIDE delivered the judgment of the court, with
                       opinion.
                       Chief Justice Karmeier and Justices Freeman, Thomas, Garman,
                       Burke, and Theis concurred in the judgment and opinion.
                                              OPINION

¶1        Petitioner, James W. Glasgow, State’s Attorney of Will County, seeks mandamus pursuant
     to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 381 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016) against respondent, the Honorable David
     M. Carlson, judge of the circuit court of Will County. Petitioner asks this court to compel
     respondent to (1) vacate its January 6, 2016, sentencing order, (2) classify as a Class 2 felony
     Mitchell Harper’s third violation of Illinois’s driving while under the influence (DUI) statute
     of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-501 et seq. (West 2014)), and (3) resentence
     defendant as a Class X offender pursuant to section 5-4.5-95(b) of the Unified Code of
     Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(b) (West 2014)). For the following reasons, we award
     mandamus.

¶2                                          BACKGROUND
¶3       In June 2014, defendant, Mitchell Harper, was charged by indictment with Class 2 felony
     aggravated DUI (625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(2), (d)(2)(B) (West 2014)). The indictment alleged
     that on March 23, 2014, defendant operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and
     that he had two prior DUI convictions: (1) a 1994 DUI conviction in Georgia and (2) a 2013
     DUI conviction in Illinois.
¶4       Following a bench trial in July 2015, the circuit court found defendant guilty of aggravated
     DUI. The court, however, continued sentencing and postponed its review of defendant’s prior
     DUI convictions and additional criminal history.
¶5       At the initial sentencing hearing in November 2015, the circuit court expressed skepticism
     on whether defendant’s DUI conviction should be classified as a Class 2 felony for sentencing
     purposes. The court explained, “[a]lthough the indictment alleges a [C]lass 2 felony, I may not
     necessarily agree with that based upon the statutory provisions.”
¶6       The State first provided the circuit court with certified copies of defendant’s two prior DUI
     convictions in Georgia and Illinois. Because defendant’s DUI conviction in this case
     constituted his third DUI conviction, the State argued that it was aggravated DUI and a Class 2
     felony under subsection (d)(2)(B), as charged in the indictment. The State acknowledged that a
     separate provision, subsection (d)(2)(A), generally classified aggravated DUI as a Class 4
     felony. Nonetheless, the State argued that because defendant was charged under subsection
     (d)(2)(B), that provision’s express classification of the offense as a Class 2 felony must
     control. For support, the State cited to the appellate court’s decision in People v. Mischke, 2014
     IL App (2d) 130318, that reached the same conclusion.
¶7       In turn, the State argued that defendant was subject to a mandatory Class X sentence on his
     third DUI conviction based on his prior criminal record. Specifically, the State noted that
     defendant’s record included a 1989 Class 2 felony conviction, a 1981 Class X felony
     conviction, and a 1980 Class 2 felony conviction.
¶8       The circuit court, however, continued to express doubt that defendant’s third DUI
     conviction should be classified as a Class 2 felony. The court repeatedly asked the State to
     explain when a third DUI conviction would ever be classified as a Class 4 felony. The court
     also suggested that the State was asking the court to ignore subsection (d)(2)(A), that generally
     defined aggravated DUI as a Class 4 felony.

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¶9         Defendant argued that the statutory provisions were ambiguous on the issue of felony
       classification. Defendant questioned why the DUI statute “went from a second offense being a
       misdemeanor to a third offense being a class two.” Defendant urged the circuit court to “err
       towards lenity and take the lesser offense.” At the close of arguments, the court continued
       sentencing.
¶ 10       At the subsequent hearing on January 6, 2016, the circuit court was again critical of the
       State’s position that defendant’s third DUI conviction should be treated as a Class 2 felony
       rather than a Class 4 felony. The court quoted a passage from the “DUI Traffic Illinois Judicial
       Bench Book Third Edition” that referenced an “apparent irreconcilability” between the felony
       classifications related to a third DUI conviction. Ultimately, the court determined that those
       provisions were “completely inconsistent.” The court then sentenced defendant as a Class 4
       offender to 24 months of probation.
¶ 11       On February 1, 2016, the circuit court held a hearing on its own motion to clarify its
       January 6 sentencing decision. At this hearing, the court explained its prior decisions as
       follows:
               “I had sentenced the [d]efendant as a Class 4 offender on an—arguably a Class 2 DUI
               offense for a third violation of the statute. The court found that the statute was
               inconsistent, and one of the things I cited was the Third Edition Benchbook, and I went
               back through and I found that there is not only a Fourth Edition, but there is also a Fifth
               Edition, and I want to make part of the record what the Fifth Edition says about the ***
               issues regarding the statute and I gave a copy of this to [the parties in this case].”
       The court then read into the record excerpts from the Fifth Edition Benchbook, including a
       discussion on a possible sentencing inconsistency in the DUI statute and the potential need to
       apply the rule of lenity. The court also rejected two appellate court decisions that “seem[ed] to
       say” that any defect or inconsistency in the DUI statute was remedied by charging a defendant
       with Class 2 felony aggravated DUI under subsection (d)(2)(B).
¶ 12       The State moved for leave to file a complaint for writ of mandamus. Ill. S. Ct. R. 381 (eff.
       Mar. 1, 2001). We allowed the State’s motion for leave to file the complaint.

¶ 13                                            ANALYSIS
¶ 14        Before this court, the State contends that the circuit court erred, as a matter of law, when
       the court found the applicable provisions of section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code
       inconsistent, determined that defendant’s aggravated DUI conviction was a Class 4 felony, and
       sentenced defendant to probation. The State maintains that defendant’s third DUI conviction,
       as charged under subsection (d)(2)(B) (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(B) (West 2014)), is a Class 2
       felony that subjects defendant to a mandatory Class X sentence based on his criminal history.
       Consequently, the State asserts that it is entitled to mandamus relief.
¶ 15        Under the Illinois Constitution, this court has discretionary original jurisdiction to hear
       mandamus cases. People ex rel. Glasgow v. Kinney, 2012 IL 113197, ¶ 7 (citing Ill. Const.
       1970, art. VI, § 4(a)). As we have explained, “ ‘[m]andamus is an extraordinary remedy used
       to compel a public official to perform a purely ministerial duty where no exercise of discretion
       is involved.’ ” Glasgow, 2012 IL 113197, ¶ 7 (quoting People ex rel. Alvarez v. Skryd, 241 Ill.
       2d 34, 38 (2011)). This court awards mandamus relief only when “the petitioner establishes a

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       clear right to the relief requested, a clear duty of the public official to act, and clear authority in
       the public official to comply.” Alvarez, 241 Ill. 2d at 39.
¶ 16       The controversy in this case involves the proper construction of section 11-501 and its
       sentencing provisions, particularly on a third DUI conviction. Because the issue presents a
       pure question of law, our review is de novo. People ex rel. Birkett v. Jorgensen, 216 Ill. 2d 358,
       363 (2005); see also Cordrey v. Prisoner Review Board, 2014 IL 117155, ¶ 18 (explaining that
       “only issues of law will be considered in original actions for mandamus”).
¶ 17       Our primary goal when construing a statute is to determine and give effect to the
       legislature’s intent. People v. Fiveash, 2015 IL 117669, ¶ 11. Because the most reliable
       indicator of legislative intent is the statutory language itself, we must give the language its
       plain and ordinary meaning whenever possible. Fiveash, 2015 IL 117669, ¶ 11. A reviewing
       court must enforce clear and unambiguous statutory provisions as written, and it should not
       read into the statute exceptions, conditions, or limitations not expressed by the legislature.
       In re N.C., 2014 IL 116532, ¶ 50. Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS
       5/11-501 et seq. (West 2014)) establishes a detailed framework for the offense of driving while
       under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, or intoxicating compounds and aggravated forms
       of DUI. The provision also contains extensive sentencing guidelines.
¶ 18       Subsection (a) of section 11-501 defines the offense of DUI and prohibits an individual
       from driving or controlling a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, or
       intoxicating compounds. See 625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(1) to (a)(6) (West 2014) (defining the
       offense of DUI). With exceptions not relevant here, a first violation is generally a Class A
       misdemeanor (625 ILCS 5/11-501(c)(1) (West 2014)), while a second violation subjects the
       offender to a mandatory term of either 5 days’ imprisonment or 240 hours of community
       service (625 ILCS 5/11-501(c)(2) (West 2014)).
¶ 19       A third or higher violation of section 11-501, however, is considered aggravated DUI and
       subjects the offender to stiffer penalties. Specifically, subsection (d)(1)(A) provides that a
       person is guilty of aggravated DUI if that person commits a DUI offense “for the third or
       subsequent time.” 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(A) (West 2014). For purposes of this appeal, it is
       worth noting that committing a third DUI is only one of several ways to be guilty of aggravated
       DUI under section 11-501. See 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(B) to (d)(1)(L) (West 2014)
       (identifying other circumstances that constitute aggravated DUI, none predicated on the
       commission of a third DUI).
¶ 20       The sentencing parameters for aggravated DUI, including the applicable felony classes, are
       contained in subsection (d)(2) of section 11-501. Initially, that provision provides the baseline
       felony class for aggravated DUI: “Except as provided otherwise, a person convicted of
       aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol *** is guilty of a Class 4 felony.” 625 ILCS
       5/11-501(d)(2)(A) (West 2014). The next nine subsections, (d)(2)(B) to (d)(2)(J), detail factors
       that can elevate aggravated DUI to higher class felonies and, in some instances, impose
       mandatory and minimum sentences.
¶ 21       Particularly relevant here, subsection (d)(2)(B) provides that “[a] third violation of this
       Section or a similar provision is a Class 2 felony.” 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(B) (West 2014).
       For each successive violation of section 11-501, the potential penalty is enhanced by either
       eliminating the possibility of probation or elevating the corresponding felony class.
       Specifically, a fourth violation is a nonprobationable Class 2 felony (625 ILCS

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       5/11-501(d)(2)(C) (West 2014)), a fifth violation is a nonprobationable Class 1 felony (625
       ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(D) (West 2014)), and a sixth or successive violation is a Class X felony
       (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(E) (West 2014)).
¶ 22        The remainder of the sentencing provisions in subsection (d)(2) apply to specific factual
       situations not implicated in this action, ranging from the commission of DUI that results in
       injury or death to committing DUI while transporting one or more passengers in a vehicle for
       hire. See 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(F) to (d)(2)(J) (West 2014) (detailing sentencing
       requirements for aggravated DUI).
¶ 23        Reviewing the plain meaning of section 11-501, it is clear that the legislature meticulously
       prescribed unambiguous sentencing requirements and classifications for aggravated DUI,
       going from a baseline Class 4 felony classification (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(A) (West 2014))
       to a Class X felony classification for a sixth DUI conviction (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(E)
       (West 2014)). As this court has explained, “[s]ection 11-501 therefore operates just as any
       other statute which initially sets forth the elements of the offense, and then, in a separate
       section, provides sentencing classifications based on other factors.” People v. Van Schoyck,
       232 Ill. 2d 330, 337 (2009).
¶ 24        Applying section 11-501 to defendant’s case, we necessarily conclude that defendant’s
       third DUI conviction constitutes aggravated DUI and is a Class 2 felony, as charged in the
       indictment. Without question, subsection (d)(2)(B) demonstrates unambiguous legislative
       intent to classify a third DUI conviction as a Class 2 felony. See 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(B)
       (West 2014) (providing that “[a] third violation of this Section or a similar provision is a Class
       2 felony”).
¶ 25        The sentencing provisions of section 11-501 are complex, especially on the aggravated
       forms of DUI. Nevertheless, the circuit court’s decision to prioritize the baseline Class 4 felony
       provision in subsection (d)(2)(A) over subsection (d)(2)(B) conflicts with other pertinent
       statutory language. Critically, subsection (d)(2)(A) contains a qualification that “[e]xcept as
       provided otherwise, a person convicted of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol
       *** is guilty of a Class 4 felony.” (Emphasis added.) 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(A) (West
       2014). In our view, this qualification demonstrates unambiguous legislative intent to classify
       aggravated DUI as a Class 4 felony only if no other provision in section 11-501 is applicable.
¶ 26        Here, subsection (d)(2)(B) of section 11-501 applies, as charged in the indictment. As we
       have determined, the plain language of subsection (d)(2)(B) unequivocally provides that a
       third DUI conviction is a Class 2 felony. 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(B) (West 2014). This clear
       and unambiguous provision must be enforced as written. In re N.C., 2014 IL 116532, ¶ 50.
¶ 27        Our appellate court has similarly concluded that an offender’s third DUI conviction is
       aggravated DUI and is a Class 2 felony under subsection (d)(2)(B) of section 11-501 of the
       Illinois Vehicle Code. See People v. Mischke, 2014 IL App (2d) 130318, ¶ 22 (concluding that
       subsection (d)(2)(B) “require[s] that a person with two prior nonaggravated DUI offenses be
       sentenced, upon his third DUI offense, as a Class 2 offender”); People v. Morris, 2014 IL App
       (1st) 130152, ¶ 54 (determining that two prior DUI convictions can be used to elevate a third
       DUI to a Class 2 felony). It is axiomatic that this authority was binding on the circuit court.
       See, e.g., People v. Carpenter, 228 Ill. 2d 250, 259-60 (2008) (explaining that an applicable
       Illinois appellate court decision must be followed by an Illinois circuit court because it
       constitutes binding precedent).

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¶ 28       It is neither inconsistent nor illogical to conclude that a third DUI conviction is subject to a
       higher felony classification when section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code is viewed in its
       entirety. See People v. Chapman, 2012 IL 111896, ¶ 23 (explaining that when construing a
       statutory provision, “we consider the statute in its entirety, keeping in mind the subject it
       addresses and the apparent intent of the legislature in passing it.”). As our appellate court has
       aptly observed, the escalating penalties and felony classifications for successive DUI
       convictions in section 11-501 demonstrate “the General Assembly’s intention to penalize
       repeat [DUI] offenders more severely.” People v. Halerewicz, 2013 IL App (4th) 120388, ¶ 35.
¶ 29       The circuit court also relied on excerpts from various editions of an Illinois judicial
       benchbook that suggested or implied a potential inconsistency in the section 11-501 sentencing
       provisions. We caution our circuit courts, however, that a benchbook is to be used only as a
       practical legal reference guide. Thus, a benchbook should not be viewed or treated as
       authoritative precedent. See, e.g., Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Illinois Judicial
       Benchbook on DUI/Traffic (5th ed. 2015) (explaining that a “[b]enchbook has no precedential
       value, is not intended to be cited by courts or litigants as authority in pleadings, rulings or
       otherwise, and is not a substitute for reading the statutes and cases cited herein”).
¶ 30       Accordingly, we conclude that defendant’s third DUI conviction constitutes aggravated
       DUI and must be treated as a Class 2 felony under the plain language of subsection (d)(2)(B) of
       section 11-501. Because the record shows that defendant has at least two prior Class 2 felony
       or higher convictions, he must be sentenced as a Class X offender on his aggravated DUI
       conviction in this case. 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(b) (West 2014); see also Morris, 2014 IL App
       (1st) 130152, ¶ 54 (affirming a Class X sentence on a defendant who was convicted of Class 2
       felony aggravated DUI).

¶ 31                                         CONCLUSION
¶ 32       For these reasons, we award mandamus and order respondent to (1) vacate its January 6,
       2016, sentencing order, (2) classify defendant’s third violation of section 11-501 of the Illinois
       Vehicle Code as a Class 2 felony, and (3) resentence defendant as a Class X offender based on
       his prior criminal history.

¶ 33      Judgment of mandamus awarded.

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