Court Opinion

ID: 9899913
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-17 21:06:28.675383+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:54.519932
License: Public Domain

2023 IL App (4th) 230864
                                                                                    FILED
                                         NO. 4-23-0864                         November 17, 2023
                                                                                   Carla Bender
                                 IN THE APPELLATE COURT                        4th District Appellate
                                                                                     Court, IL

                                          OF ILLINOIS

                                      FOURTH DISTRICT

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,                        )      Appeal from the
           Plaintiff-Appellee,                              )      Circuit Court of
           v.                                               )      Warren County
WILLIAM R. INMAN,                                           )      No. 23CF122
           Defendant-Appellant.                             )
                                                            )      Honorable
                                                            )      Nigel D. Graham,
                                                            )      Judge Presiding.

               PRESIDING JUSTICE DeARMOND delivered the judgment of the court, with
               opinion.
               Justices Steigmann and Knecht concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                           OPINION
¶1             Defendant, William R. Inman, appeals the circuit court’s order denying him pretrial

release pursuant to article 110 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (Code) (725 ILCS 5/art.

110 (West 2022)), which was recently amended by Public Act 101-652 (eff. Jan. 1, 2023),

commonly known as the Pretrial Fairness Act (Act). Defendant asserts “[t]he State failed to meet

its burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of

conditions can mitigate the real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the

community, based on the specific, articulable facts of the case, or defendant’s willful flight.” We

affirm.

¶2                                     I. BACKGROUND
¶3             On September 21, 2023, the State charged defendant with nine counts spanning

three different case numbers. Specifically, defendant was charged with two counts of unlawful

possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of possession of a firearm while being firearm

owner’s identification (FOID) card ineligible, one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by

a felon, and one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine in Warren County case No.

23-CF-122; one count of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine in Warren County case No. 23-

CF-118; and one count of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine and one count of armed violence

in Warren County case No. 23-CF-119.

¶4             On the same date, pursuant to section 110-6.1 the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (West

2022)), the State filed a verified petition seeking to deny pretrial release in case No. 23-CF-122,

alleging the commission of a forcible felony for which defendant was not eligible for probation

and contending defendant’s pretrial release “poses a real and present threat” under subsection 110-

6.1(a)(1) of the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(a)(1) (West 2022)). Although the State filed its petition

for only one of the three case numbers, we observe the parties and the circuit court considered the

charges and facts surrounding all three cases.

¶5             The matter then proceeded to a timely hearing on the State’s verified petition, per

the Code’s requirements. In support of its petition, the State alleged defendant, on two separate

occasions, sold methamphetamine to a confidential source who, following the purchases, informed

police of additional methamphetamine and weapons being kept in defendant’s garage. Further,

“[t]here had been surveillance done at the time that these controlled buys were conducted[,] and

they were conducted at that location.” A search warrant executed at defendant’s residence

produced “a loaded 9[-]millimeter Taurus handgun, [a] .22 Stevens rifle,” eight “magazines of

different calibers, *** a digital scale consistent with the type that’s used to weigh drugs for sale,

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[and] various drug packaging materials.” Police also found “a Vaseline container *** concealing

some methamphetamine,” a “tool bag” containing “various ammunition including 9[-]millimeter

and .22 ammunition,” a spent cartridge case, another digital scale, and a “plastic tray containing

methamphetamine and some unlabeled pills.” The State also noted defendant’s criminal history

“in both Iowa and Illinois,” which included “at least one conviction for an assaultive-type offense”

and “controlled substance violations.” Finally, the risk assessment tool utilized by pretrial services

indicated defendant scored as a “moderate high risk for not appearing at future court appearances

and to reoffend.”

¶6             The circuit court entered an order denying pretrial release, finding defendant was

charged with a detainable offense, he posed a real and present threat to the safety of the community,

and no condition or combination of conditions could mitigate that threat. The court also found

defense counsel “was given an adequate opportunity to confer in private with the Defendant prior

to the Initial Appearance pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/109-1(g).” The court’s written order articulated

specific reasons for the decision, namely the “multiple firearms, ammunition, and deliveries of

methamphetamine in a short period of time,” and the fact that “[d]efendant showed a firearm to a

confidential source at or around [the] time of methamphetamine delivery.” Defendant filed a notice

of appeal immediately thereafter. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has elected to file a

notice in lieu of an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h) (eff. Sept. 18, 2023) memorandum.

¶7                                         II. ANALYSIS

¶8             Utilizing the form approved for Rule 604(h) appeals by defendants, defendant’s

claim of error consisted of a checked box on the six-page form notice of appeal, asserting “[t]he

State failed to meet its burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or

combination of conditions can mitigate the real and present threat to the safety of any person or

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persons or the community, based on the specific, articulable facts of the case, or defendant’s willful

flight.” Although it provided additional space for elaboration, defendant made no further reference

to the record or the facts presented at the hearing or through exhibits, made no additional argument,

and cited no authority in support of his claim.

¶9             The State’s memorandum in response argued the circuit court’s findings and written

order complied with the Code in every respect. For example, the State contended that after finding

“clear and convincing evidence” defendant committed a qualifying offense under section 110-6.1

of the Code, the court properly entered a written order directing defendant to be committed to

custody pending trial as required by subsection 110-6.1(h)(1) (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(h)(1) (West

2022)). In doing so, the court considered the relevant factors included in subsection 110-6.1(g) of

the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(g)(1)-(9) (West 2022) (whether a defendant poses a real and present

threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community, based upon the specific articulable

facts of the case)). The State’s memo further contended the court then properly considered the

factors required by subsections 110-6.1(a)(1)-(7) of the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(a)(1)-(7) (West

2022)) and cited specific articulable facts before concluding less restrictive conditions other than

detention would not avoid a real and present threat to the safety of the community.

¶ 10           According to our supreme court, the Act ushered in a new reality for pretrial release.

See Rowe v. Raoul, 2023 IL 129248, ¶ 39 n.3. The new provisions of the Code, however, cannot

function independently from the larger, longstanding body of law governing appeals. We address

as a matter of first impression the language and application of the provisions of the Code, as

amended by the Act, relating to pretrial detention and appeals therefrom, particularly the standard

of review and appellate procedure. We have historically reviewed bail appeals under Illinois

Supreme Court Rule 604(c)(1) (eff. Sept. 18, 2023) using an abuse of discretion standard. People

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v. Simmons, 2019 IL App (1st) 191253, ¶ 9, 143 N.E.3d 833. “An abuse of discretion occurs when

the circuit court’s decision is ‘arbitrary, fanciful or unreasonable,’ or where ‘no reasonable person

would agree with the position adopted by the [circuit] court.’ ” Simmons, 2019 IL App (1st)

191253, ¶ 9 (quoting People v. Becker, 239 Ill. 2d 215, 234, 940 N.E.2d 1131, 1142 (2010)); see

People v. Johnson, 2019 IL App (3d) 190582, ¶ 8, 147 N.E.3d 756 (“We will review the decision

of the [circuit] court [on a motion for review under Rule 604(c)] for an abuse of discretion.”).

¶ 11           Rule 604(h), as amended due to the Act, provides a new procedure for these

appeals. See Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h) (eff. Sept. 18, 2023). But the Act neither mandates nor suggests

a different standard of review. A defendant appealing under Rule 604(h) may claim the State failed

to fulfill its burden by “clear and convincing evidence.” See Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(1)(iii) (eff. Sept.

18, 2023). However, we are not reviewing the State’s evidence anew. Instead, we are reviewing

the circuit court’s evaluation of that evidence for an abuse of discretion. “[W]e will not substitute

our own judgment for the trier of fact on issues regarding the weight of the evidence or the

credibility of the witnesses.” People v. Vega, 2018 IL App (1st) 160619, ¶ 44, 123 N.E.3d 393.

Under the Code, the circuit court was invested with the responsibility to consider the various

factors listed in section 110-6.1(g) (real and present danger), as well as those in section 110-

6.1(a)(1)-(8) (feasibility of less restrictive conditions) before finding detention to be appropriate.

“[I]n reviewing the circuit court’s ruling for an abuse of discretion, we will not substitute our

judgment for that of the circuit court, ‘merely because we would have balanced the appropriate

factors differently.’ ” Simmons, 2019 IL App (1st) 191253, ¶ 15 (quoting People v. Cox, 82 Ill. 2d

268, 280, 412 N.E.2d 541, 547 (1980)).

¶ 12           Turning to appellate procedure, the tension between Rule 604(h) and Illinois

Supreme Court Rule 341 (eff. Oct. 1, 2020) is evident. Rule 341 instructs the parties on their

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procedural burdens on appeal, yet the truncated procedure here does not provide for briefing, which

would then require defendants to assert facts from the record they contend support their claims

(see Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(6) (eff. Oct. 1, 2020)), as well as require cogent argument, including

“ ‘citation of the authorities and pages of the record relied on.’ ” People v. Macias, 2015 IL App

(1st) 132039, ¶ 88, 36 N.E.3d 373 (quoting Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7) (eff. July 1, 2008)). As a matter

of practicality, Rule 341 cannot govern here, but we should not ignore the principles producing

the rule—namely, coherent argument and analysis supported by proper record citations and legal

authorities. Even the new Rule 604(h) requires the notice of appeal to include a description of the

relief to be requested “and the grounds for the relief requested.” (Emphasis added.) Ill. S. Ct. R.

604(h)(2) (eff. Sept. 18, 2023). This would appear to mean some form of argument is required,

along with justification for claiming entitlement to relief—like references to the record, the

evidence presented, or, if possible, legal authority.

¶ 13           Unlike Rule 604(c) appeals from bail orders entered before conviction (which

governed before the Act), Rule 604(h) has no requirement for a defendant to “present to the

[circuit] court a written motion for the relief sought on appeal” (see Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(c) (eff. July

1, 2017)). This change denies the court an opportunity to create a full and complete record on the

issue to be sent to the appellate court for review. Further, under a Rule 604(c) appeal, the motion

for review was required to contain everything that transpired before the court on the motion,

necessarily including the arguments made before the court (Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(c)(1) (eff. July 1,

2017)) and contain arguments supporting the motion on appeal (Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(c)(2)(v) (eff. July

1, 2017)). The loss of Rules 341 and 604(c), coupled with the new Rule 604(h), creates a

demonstrably different process. Yet, even under the unique circumstances created by the Act, we

cannot be expected to formulate an argument for defendant out of whole cloth, and we decline to

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do so. There is a well-established principle: “A reviewing court is entitled to have the issues on

appeal clearly defined with pertinent authority cited and a cohesive legal argument presented. The

appellate court is not a depository in which the appellant may dump the burden of argument and

research.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Macias, 2015 IL App (1st) 132039, ¶ 88. By this

we do not mean to say a memorandum as described in Rule 604(h)(2) is required or expected in

every case. However, it is reasonable to conclude the Illinois Supreme Court, by approving the

notice of appeal form, expects appellants to at least include some rudimentary facts, argument, or

support for the conclusory claim they have identified by checking a box. Even without the

application of Rule 341, we doubt Rule 604(h) now requires the appellate court to act as an

advocate or seek error on the appellant’s behalf—something heretofore expressly forbidden. See

U.S. Bank v. Lindsey, 397 Ill. App. 3d 437, 459, 920 N.E.2d 515, 535 (2009) (citing Obert v.

Saville, 253 Ill. App. 3d 677, 682, 624 N.E.2d 928, 931 (1993)).

¶ 14           Turning now to defendant’s claim, which he couched simply in the conclusory

language of the Code, we observe he points to no evidence in the record upon which we are to

evaluate his claim, and he fails to present any legal argument or authority in support of his claim.

We are therefore left with the record itself. We presume the circuit court knows, follows, and

applies the law, unless the record affirmatively rebuts that presumption. See People v. McCauley,

2013 IL App (4th) 110103, ¶ 118, 984 N.E.2d 185. We find nothing in this record to rebut that

presumption.

¶ 15           We note defendant does not contest the circuit court’s finding he was charged with

a detainable offense or the proof was evident, or the presumption great, that he committed the

offenses. Nor does he contest the court’s finding that he posed a real and present threat to the safety

of a person, persons, or the community. Rather, he asserts only that the State failed to establish by

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“clear and convincing evidence” that there were no less restrictive conditions or combinations of

conditions that would either mitigate the threat or prevent his flight.

¶ 16           After a full hearing, with defendant and appointed counsel present in person, the

circuit court found defense counsel “was given an adequate opportunity to confer in private with

the Defendant prior to the Initial Appearance pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/109-1(g).” The court’s order

met the requirements of section 110-6.1 of the Code in that, based on the specific articulable facts

presented, (1) the court found defendant was charged with detainable offenses and the proof was

evident or presumption great defendant committed the offenses (see 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(a)(1)-(8)

(West 2022)), (2) defendant posed a real and present threat to the safety of persons or the

community (see 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(e)(2) (West 2022)), (3) no conditions or combination of

conditions under subsection 110-10(b) of the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-10(b) (West 2022)) could

mitigate the real and present threat (see 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(e)(3) (West 2022)), and (4) the court

entered written findings that pretrial detention should be denied because less restrictive conditions

would not avoid that threat (see 725 ILCS 5/6.1(h)(1) (West 2022)).

¶ 17           Because the circuit court complied with the requirements of the Code and made all

necessary findings, based on this record, we find no reason to conclude the court’s decision was

“arbitrary, fanciful, or unreasonable.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Simmons, 2019 IL App

(1st) 191253, ¶ 9. Moreover, the court provided specific, articulable facts for its decision.

Defendant was charged with two Class 2 felony methamphetamine deliveries over a short period

of time, a Class 3 possession of the same substance, three Class 3 felony firearm possession

charges, and a Class X armed violence charge that, under defendant’s circumstances, carried a

minimum 15-year sentence. A search of defendant’s residence, pursuant to a search warrant,

revealed evidence of drugs and drug trafficking, as well as the firearms for which he was charged.

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Defendant’s criminal history included offenses in both Iowa and Illinois and prior drug offenses,

and he was facing “at least two separate non-probationable offenses” according to the State’s

proffer. On the risk assessment tool utilized by pretrial services, defendant scored as a “moderate

high risk for not appearing at future court appearances and to reoffend.” Accordingly, we do not

find the court’s conclusion the State met its burden by clear and convincing evidence to be one

where “no reasonable person would agree with the position adopted by the [circuit] court.” Becker,

239 Ill. 2d at 234. The court’s procedural compliance with the requirements of the Code and its

written findings and conclusions were not “arbitrary, fanciful or unreasonable.” (Internal quotation

marks omitted.) Simmons, 2019 IL App (1st) 191253, ¶ 9.

¶ 18                                   III. CONCLUSION

¶ 19           For all these reasons, we affirm the circuit court’s order and remand the cause for

further proceedings.

¶ 20           Affirmed; cause remanded.

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                     People v. Inman, 2023 IL App (4th) 230864

Decision Under Review:    Appeal from the Circuit Court of Warren County, No. 23-CF-122;
                          the Hon. Nigel D. Graham, Judge, presiding.

Attorneys                 James E. Chadd, Carolyn R. Klarquist, and David C. Holland, of
for                       State Appellate Defender’s Office, of Chicago, for appellant.
Appellant:

Attorneys                 Patrick Delfino and David J. Robinson, of State’s Attorneys
for                       Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of Springfield (Sam C. Mitchell, of
Appellee:                 Sam C. Mitchell & Associates, of West Frankfort, of counsel), for
                          the People.

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