Court Opinion

ID: 9954926
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-27 14:04:55.856123+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:15:06.390437
License: Public Domain

2024 IL App (3d) 230592

                                 Opinion filed March 26, 2024
      ____________________________________________________________________________

                                                   IN THE

                                   APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                                             THIRD DISTRICT

                                                    2024

      THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF                       )      Appeal from the Circuit Court
      ILLINOIS,                                        )      of the 12th Judicial Circuit,
                                                       )      Will County, Illinois.
             Plaintiff-Appellee,                       )
                                                       )      Appeal No. 3-23-0592
             v.                                        )      Circuit No. 23-CF-1123
                                                       )
      DAMARIAN WOODS,                                  )      Honorable
                                                       )      Amy Bertani-Tomczak,
             Defendant-Appellant.                      )      Judge, Presiding.
      ____________________________________________________________________________

            JUSTICE DAVENPORT delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
            Justices Holdridge and Albrecht concurred in the judgment and opinion.
      ____________________________________________________________________________

                                                OPINION

¶1          Defendant, Damarian Woods, appeals the Will County circuit court’s order denying him

     pretrial release under article 110 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (Code) (725 ILCS

     5/art. 110 (West 2022)), as amended by Public Acts 101-652 and 102-1104 (eff. Jan. 1, 2023),

     commonly known as the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act or the Pretrial

     Fairness Act (collectively, the Act). On January 18, 2024, we entered a minute order dismissing

     defendant’s appeal, based on his failure to present any argument to this court, other than bare

     contentions in the form of checked boxes in his notice of appeal.
¶2            Defendant petitioned this court for rehearing under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 367 (eff.

     Nov. 1, 2017). We have received the State’s answer to the petition. For the following reasons, we

     grant defendant’s petition for rehearing, withdraw our January 18, 2024, order dismissing

     defendant’s appeal, and now issue this opinion, affirming the circuit court’s order, in its place.

¶3                                            I. BACKGROUND

¶4            On July 13, 2023, a grand jury indicted defendant on three counts of first degree murder

     (each on a different theory) (720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(1), (2) (West 2022)) and one count of aggravated

     battery (id. § 12-3.05(e)(1), (h)). Imari Bloodson and defendant’s brother, Amarion Woods, were

     charged in the same indictment. 1 The charges stemmed from the fatal shooting of Anthony

     Saucedo, which occurred in the parking lot of a public park in Plainfield on June 15, 2022.

     Defendant was 17 years old at the time of the shooting. Some of the occurrence was captured on

     surveillance video. An assistant public defender represented defendant. Initially, the court set

     defendant’s bond at $5 million, 10% to apply. Defendant did not post and was detained pending

     trial.

¶5            On October 23, 2023, defendant filed a motion for pretrial release. He asserted that, while

     first degree murder is a detainable offense, he did not pose a real and present threat to the safety

     of any person, any persons, or the community. That same day, the State filed a verified petition to

     deny defendant release under section 110-6.1 of the Code (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (West 2022)).

¶6            The court heard the matters on October 30, 2023. The State provided the following factual

     basis. On June 15, 2022, Bloodson engaged in a text conversation with Saucedo and offered to sell

     Saucedo a firearm. At approximately 9:50 p.m., Bloodson and Saucedo arrived in the parking lot

             Bloodson was charged with another offense, possession of a stolen firearm. The State asserts that
              1

     defendant was also charged with this offense, but the indictment lists Bloodson as the only defendant on
     that count.
                                                        2
     at Bott park, driving separate vehicles, and parked “two spots away from each other.” Saucedo

     drove a Jeep and was alone. Bloodson drove a red sedan with four passengers: defendant, seated

     in the front passenger seat, and Amarion, David Woods, and Antonio Funches, seated in the rear

     passenger seats. At that time, several games at the park had just ended.

¶7           About a minute later, Bloodson exited the sedan alone and approached the driver’s window

     of Saucedo’s Jeep. Saucedo remained in the driver’s seat of his Jeep as he and Bloodson engaged

     in a brief conversation. Defendant, who was wearing a ski mask, and Amarion then exited the

     sedan and approached the Jeep. Bloodson returned to the sedan. Defendant and Amarion entered

     the Jeep and sat in the front passenger seat and the rear seat behind Saucedo, respectively. The

     surveillance footage showed an apparent struggle inside the Jeep, followed by defendant exiting

     the Jeep and firing a gunshot into the Jeep toward Saucedo.

¶8           At that point, David and Funches exited the sedan and approached the Jeep. Funches

     reached inside the half-open driver’s window, and then he and David, who was in front of the Jeep,

     retreated to the sedan. Defendant and Amarion also retreated to the sedan, and Bloodson drove

     away.

¶9           When the police arrived, Saucedo was dead. An autopsy showed Saucedo had been shot

     seven times. One shot entered the back right side of his head and exited by his nose. Another shot

     entered the left side of his neck, severed his carotid artery and jugular vein, and exited the right

     side of his neck. He also had wounds on his right arm, left leg, neck (graze wound), chest (graze

     wound), and calf (graze wound). Evidence technicians recovered three 9-millimeter shell casings

     outside the front passenger side of the Jeep. They also recovered four .40-caliber shell casings

     where Amarion was seated. A magazine containing six rounds of live ammunition was found on

     Saucedo’s lap. No firearms were recovered from the scene.

                                                      3
¶ 10          During their investigation, the police spoke with Bloodson and David. Bloodson confirmed

       defendant and Amarion entered Saucedo’s Jeep but would not say why the men were in the park

       or what happened inside the Jeep. David told the police he believed they went to the park to buy

       cannabis. He exited the vehicle when he heard a commotion inside the Jeep. He saw a revolver in

       Saucedo’s hands as he walked around the front of the Jeep. As they left the scene, the men did not

       discuss what had occurred inside the Jeep other than defendant asking Amarion, “Are you good?”

¶ 11          David and Funches testified before the grand jury in exchange for immunity. David’s

       testimony was consistent with his statement to police, except he did not testify he saw a revolver

       in Saucedo’s hands. In addition, he testified he did not see a gun in defendant’s or Amarion’s

       possession immediately before or after the incident. Funches testified he, like David, believed they

       were going to the park to buy cannabis. He left the sedan because he observed a commotion. He

       saw Saucedo “pulling a revolver up from the front seat and trying to point it to the back of the

       Jeep.” He did not see defendant or Amarion with a gun either before or after the incident in the

       Jeep but confirmed defendant was wearing a ski mask at the time.

¶ 12          The police also executed a search warrant on defendant’s phone and recovered “text chats

       with people about the incident.” In the texts, defendant claimed self-defense because Saucedo tried

       to rob them, claimed he could not be identified because he was wearing a ski mask, and deflected

       blame to Amarion.

¶ 13          The police also interviewed associates of Saucedo. The associates knew Saucedo to carry

       a black revolver in his glove box. The associates also believed Saucedo had robbed two

       individuals, one of a gun and the other of cannabis.

¶ 14          The State also proffered that defendant was charged in juvenile court with aggravated

       unlawful use of a weapon (a “Ruger 9mm”). This offense took place on January 13, 2023, that is,

                                                        4
       after Saucedo’s shooting but before defendant was charged in this case. On January 24, 2023,

       defendant was adjudicated delinquent by admission in exchange for 18 months’ probation.

¶ 15          In argument, the State emphasized that defendant’s release posed a risk to the community’s

       safety, noting the offense jeopardized more than just the victim’s safety because it was committed

       at a public park when patrons were present.

¶ 16          Defendant offered a group exhibit containing “character letters and at least two photos.”

       The exhibit is not part of the record on appeal, but we accept counsel’s representation at the hearing

       that the letters demonstrated defendant’s “character,” family support, and community support.

       Defense counsel argued the State failed to show defendant was “a real threat to a person based on

       the specific articulable facts” of the case. She noted defendant was 17 years old at the time of the

       offense, was currently 18 years old, and had recently graduated from high school. If released,

       defendant would reside with his mother, who was present in court, along with his sister and two

       nephews. Further, defendant had been “a tremendous support to his family,” often watching his

       nephews while his sister worked and went to school. Ever since defendant was placed in custody,

       his family suffered hardship—defendant’s sister struggled to find childcare.

¶ 17          Counsel also argued the State failed to establish that no conditions could mitigate the

       purported risk posed by defendant’s release. She asserted both GPS monitoring and home

       confinement would mitigate any risk caused by defendant’s release, again pointing to defendant’s

       family support, stable home, and completion of high school. She also noted there was at least a

       question of self-defense, as David and Funches had both stated they saw Saucedo holding a

       revolver.

¶ 18          The circuit court denied defendant pretrial release. The court based its decision on (1) the

       nature and circumstances of the offense; (2) defendant’s criminal history, which was indicative of

                                                         5
       violent, abusive, or assaultive behavior; and (3) defendant’s known possession of or access to

       weapons. Specifically, the court noted defendant was captured on video committing the offense,

       in a crowded park while wearing a ski mask, and his intervening admission in juvenile court to a

       weapons offense.

¶ 19          Defendant appealed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h) (eff. Dec. 7, 2023). Defense

       counsel prepared the notice of appeal on the form approved by the supreme court. She indicated

       defendant was appealing the court’s October 30, 2023, order denying him pretrial release but left

       blank the lines next to the heading “Relief Requested.” As grounds for relief, counsel checked

       boxes indicating defendant was raising two contentions on appeal: the State failed to prove by

       clear and convincing evidence that (1) defendant posed a real and present threat to the safety of

       any person, persons, or the community, based on the specific articulable facts of the case, and

       (2) no condition or combination of conditions could mitigate the threat posed by defendant’s

       release or the risk of willful flight. Counsel did not provide any explanation or argument on the

       lines provided on the form. The court appointed the Office of the State Appellate Defender

       (OSAD) to represent defendant on appeal.

¶ 20          On November 29, 2023, the State moved to dismiss defendant’s appeal. Citing People v.

       Inman, 2023 IL App (4th) 230864, the State argued the appeal should be dismissed because

       defendant’s notice of appeal was deficient—he merely checked boxes and did not describe the

       grounds for relief or provide argument. Further, the State posited defendant should not be allowed

       to correct the deficiency via a memorandum. According to the State’s motion, OSAD told the State

       it would file an objection. OSAD never did so. On December 8, 2023, we denied the State’s

       motion. See People v. Duckworth, 2024 IL App (5th) 230911, ¶ 5 (timely filing of a notice of

       appeal is the only jurisdictional step in perfecting a Rule 604(h) appeal).

                                                         6
¶ 21          On December 15, 2024, OSAD notified this court that it would not file a memorandum in

       support of defendant’s appeal. The State filed a memorandum, opting to respond to the bare

       contentions of defendant’s notice of appeal and defend the circuit court’s detention order.

¶ 22          On January 18, 2024, we entered the following minute order, dismissing the appeal:

                      “Defendant, Damarian M. Woods, appeals from the order of the Will County circuit

              court denying pretrial release. Defendant has not filed a memorandum but has instead

              indicated his intention to stand on the notice of appeal. However, upon review of the notice

              of appeal, defendant has solely checked boxes on the form notice of appeal, without

              providing any further details or explanation. While defendant need not file a memorandum

              and may stand on the notice of appeal, Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h)(2) (eff. Sept.

              18, 2023) specifically states, ‘The Notice of Appeal shall describe the relief requested and

              the grounds for the relief requested.’ The notice of appeal form provides space for

              defendant to describe such grounds, but defendant has failed to do so. As a reviewing court,

              we are entitled to have the issues and argument clearly defined, and it is not our obligation

              to act as an advocate for defendant. People v. Universal Public Transportation, Inc., 2012

              IL App (1st) 073303-B, ¶ 50. Where defendant has failed to satisfy the requirements of

              Rule 604(h)(2), we find that he has forfeited review. We, therefore, dismiss the appeal.

                      Appeal dismissed.”

¶ 23          On February 8, 2024, defendant petitioned for rehearing. He did not assert we overlooked

       or misapprehended something. Rather, he discussed three supervisory orders entered by our

       supreme court in unrelated cases: Grant v. Justices of the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District,

       No. 130420 (Ill. Feb. 8, 2024) (supervisory order), Mateo v. Justices of the Appellate Court, Fifth

       District, No. 130409 (Ill. Feb. 7, 2024) (supervisory order), and Ali v. Justices of the Appellate

                                                        7
       Court, Fifth District, No. 130383 (Ill. Feb. 2, 2024) (supervisory order). In those cases, defendant

       noted, the appellate court dismissed the defendants’ appeals under similar circumstances, and the

       supreme court directed the appellate court to vacate the dismissals and consider the defendants’

       appeals on their merits.

¶ 24          Defendant provided the following argument in his petition:

                      “As in Grant, Ali, and Mateo, [defendant] filed a timely notice of appeal [citation],

              and yet, his appeal was not considered on the merits. The Illinois Supreme Court orders in

              Grant, Ali, and Mateo indicate that [defendant’s Rule] 604(h) appeal should be heard on

              the merits. As such, he asks this Court to reconsider the dismissal of his appeal in light of

              the Illinois Supreme Court’s supervisory orders in Grant, Ali, and Mateo, and to grant

              rehearing, vacate its order dismissing his appeal and consider the appeal on its merits.”

       The State answered defendant’s petition, arguing dismissal was a proper disposition where

       defendant had failed to provide any argument in support of his appeal.

¶ 25                                            II. ANALYSIS

¶ 26          We first explain the basis for our finding that defendant forfeited his claims on appeal.

¶ 27          Under the new pretrial release provisions of article 110 of the Code, all criminal defendants

       are “eligible for pretrial release before conviction.” 725 ILCS 5/110-2(a) (West 2022). However,

       a defendant may be denied pretrial release if the State, upon a verified petition, proves by clear

       and convincing evidence the following propositions:

                      “(1) the proof is evident or the presumption great that the defendant has committed

              [a qualifying] offense ***, and

                      (2) *** the defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or

              persons or the community, based on the specific articulable facts of the case ***, and

                                                        8
                       (3) no condition or combination of conditions [contained in section 110-10(b) of

               the Code] 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 ***.” Id. § 110-6.1(e).

¶ 28           A defendant has the right to appeal an order denying his pretrial release. Id. § 110-6.1(j).

       Our supreme court amended its rules to govern the process. Specifically, Rule 604(h)(2) provides

       a defendant must file his notice of appeal in the circuit court within 14 days of the order denying

       his release. Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(2) (eff. Dec. 7, 2023). “The Notice of Appeal shall describe the

       relief requested and the grounds for the relief requested.” (Emphasis added.) Id. Within 21 days of

       the record’s filing, the defendant may, but is not required to, file a memorandum in support of the

       appeal. Id. The memorandum’s filing begins a 21-day response period for the State (id.), with our

       decision due 14 days after the State’s response deadline (Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(5) (eff. Dec. 7, 2023)).

¶ 29           To streamline the process, the supreme court approved a fillable form notice of appeal.

       Consistent with the Rule 604(h)(2) requirement that both the relief requested and grounds for relief

       be described in the notice of appeal (Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(2) (eff. Dec. 7, 2023)), the form provides

       three lines next to the heading, “Relief Requested,” where the defendant is directed to describe the

       relief he requests. The form also directs the preparer to identify the grounds for the requested relief.

       It lists several potential points for review stated generally in the conclusory language of the Code.

       Next to each potential point is a checkbox. The form instructs the preparer to check all boxes that

       apply and to “describe in detail” the grounds for the requested relief. Each checkbox is followed

       by eight blank lines for the preparer to include a detailed description of the grounds for the

       requested relief.

¶ 30          Since the Act became effective, this court has repeatedly faced appeals in which the

       defendant has checked boxes on the form notice of appeal without providing a reasoned argument

                                                          9
       either in the notice of appeal or in a Rule 604(h) memorandum. See People v. Burke, 2024 IL App

       (5th) 231167, ¶ 26 (collecting cases). As we observed in Inman, appeals under the new pretrial

       release provisions of the Code are subject to a “demonstrably different process” than typical

       appeals or even pre-Act bail-order appeals under Rule 604(c). Inman, 2023 IL App (4th) 230864,

       ¶ 13; see Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(c) (eff. Dec. 7, 2023). However, this process does not “function

       independently from the larger, longstanding body of law governing appeals.” Inman, 2023 IL App

       (4th) 230864, ¶ 10. Thus, the principles underlying Illinois Supreme Court Rule 341 (eff. Oct. 1,

       2020)—namely, requiring coherent argument and analysis supported by proper record citations

       and legal authorities if available—should not be ignored in appeals brought under Rule 604(h),

       even though Rule 341 technically does not apply. Inman, 2023 IL App (4th) 230864, ¶ 12.

¶ 31          All appeals begin with the presumption that the circuit court’s order was correct, and the

       party claiming error carries the burden to establish error and that the error warrants relief. Molner

       v. Cartenos, 415 Ill. 172, 176 (1953). The appealing party cannot meet this burden by offering bare

       contentions against the order; the party must explain any contentions and present an argument

       based on matters of record and pertinent authorities. Littell v. City of Peoria, 374 Ill. 344, 350-51

       (1940); Vancura v. Katris, 238 Ill. 2d 352, 369-70 (2010). We have repeatedly admonished

       litigants that this court is not a depository into which the parties may dump the burden of argument

       and research. In re Estate of Kunz, 7 Ill. App. 3d 760, 763 (1972); Vilardo v. Barrington

       Community School District 220, 406 Ill. App. 3d 713, 720 (2010); accord People ex rel. Illinois

       Department of Labor v. E.R.H. Enterprises, Inc., 2013 IL 115106, ¶ 56. Accordingly, we routinely

       hold that the failure to develop an argument in support of a bare contention forfeits that contention,

       and we do not consider it further. E.g., People v. Snow, 2012 IL App (4th) 110415, ¶ 77; People

       v. Meyer, 402 Ill. App. 3d 1089, 1093 (2010). Sometimes, we dismiss an appeal when the appellant

                                                        10
       fails to present argument beyond bare contentions. McCann v. Dart, 2015 IL App (1st) 141291,

       ¶¶ 19-20.

¶ 32          We recognize Rule 604(h) appeals are subject to a process “demonstrably different” from

       typical appeals (Inman, 2023 IL App (4th) 230864, ¶ 13) and involve a person’s liberty at a time

       he or she is presumed innocent. We do not believe this is a sufficient reason, however, to nullify

       the longstanding body of law requiring an appealing party to establish error warranting relief

       through reasoned argument, supported by references to the record and authority if available.

       Accordingly, we hold that, in appeals under Rule 604(h), a defendant forfeits bare contentions

       made in the checked boxes of a notice of appeal if he or she does not develop and present an

       argument, supported with reference to the record and relevant legal authority if available, either in

       the notice of appeal or in a memorandum.

¶ 33          The text of Rule 604(h) supports the notion that, although appeals under the Act are subject

       to a different, expedited process, the defendant must make some sort of reasoned argument, as

       opposed to a bare contention, to establish he or she is entitled to relief. Admittedly, the rule does

       not require a defendant to file a memorandum. Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(2) (eff. Dec. 7, 2023). However,

       the rule requires the defendant, in his notice of appeal, to “describe,” not simply state, the grounds

       for the requested relief. Id. The form approved by the supreme court goes even further, directing

       the preparer to “describe in detail” the grounds for relief and providing eight blank lines for that

       purpose.

¶ 34          Our holding is consistent with our obligation to remain a neutral arbiter of the matters

       properly placed before us and not act as an advocate. See Obert v. Saville, 253 Ill. App. 3d 677,

       682 (1993). As our supreme court has noted, our adversary system functions on the principle of

       party presentation, meaning we rely on the parties to frame the issues to be decided and advance

                                                        11
       the facts and arguments entitling them to relief. People v. Givens, 237 Ill. 2d 311, 323-24 (2010).

       And while we have the power to raise and decide unargued and unbriefed issues (Ill. S. Ct. R.

       366(a)(5) (eff. Feb. 1, 1994)), we must not do so when it would have the effect of transforming

       this court’s role from that of jurist to advocate. Givens, 237 Ill. 2d at 324.

¶ 35           Here, defendant’s notice of appeal failed to comply with Rule 604(h)(2) in two respects.

       First, defense counsel did not indicate what relief defendant was requesting. 2 Second, defense

       counsel merely checked boxes on the form notice of appeal without describing any grounds for

       relief. By checking the boxes, defendant has not “described” the grounds for relief; he has merely

       stated them. The checked boxes are nothing more than bare, conclusory contentions that track the

       Code’s language, namely (1) “[t]he State failed to meet its burden of proving by clear and

       convincing evidence that a defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or

       persons or the community, based on the specific, articulable facts of the case,” and (2) “[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.” See 725 ILCS

       5/110-6.1(e)(2), (3) (West 2022).

¶ 36           Of course, these defects are not jurisdictional (People v. Acosta, 2024 IL App (2d) 230475,

       ¶ 13 (failure to describe relief requested is a nonjurisdictional defect); Duckworth, 2024 IL App

       (5th) 230911, ¶ 5 (failure to describe the grounds for relief is a nonjurisdictional defect)), and

               2
                As an aside, we note OSAD has never told this court what relief defendant is seeking. OSAD did
       not correct this deficiency in its notice in lieu of memorandum. And, in the petition for rehearing, OSAD
       likewise failed to state what relief defendant was seeking if we were to vacate our order and consider the
       merits. If liberally construed, however, defendant’s notice of appeal can be characterized as requesting
       reversal of the circuit court’s order. The notice of appeal states he is appealing the court’s October 30, 2023,
       order denying him pretrial release, and defendant’s bare contentions—that the State failed to meet its burden
       of proof on the two relevant propositions—could result only in reversal of the court’s order (as opposed to
       remand for a new hearing or some other relief).
                                                             12
       defendant was entitled to reserve a description of the grounds until he filed a memorandum. But

       defendant did not file a memorandum and, thus, never provided the missing description of the

       grounds for relief, much less a reasoned argument. Accordingly, defendant forfeited his bare

       contentions that the State failed to meet its burden of proof under section 110-6.1(e)(2) and (3) of

       the Code. See 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(e)(2), (3) (West 2022).

¶ 37          We now address defendant’s petition for rehearing, which asks us to vacate our dismissal

       and consider the appeal on the merits. Rule 367 governs petitions for rehearing and reads, in part,

       as follows:

              “The petition shall state briefly the points claimed to have been overlooked or

              misapprehended by the court, with proper reference to the particular portion of the record

              and brief relied upon, and with authorities and argument, concisely stated in support of the

              points. Reargument of the case shall not be made in the petition.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 367(b) (eff.

              Nov. 1, 2017).

¶ 38          Defendant does not assert that we overlooked or misapprehended an argument or some part

       of the record when we originally decided the case. And he does not suggest our conclusion—that

       defendant forfeited his contentions by failing to present argument—was wrong. Indeed, he points

       to nothing in the text of Rule 604(h)(2) that would permit us to ignore the fundamentals of appellate

       practice outlined above. Instead, defendant improperly relies on three supervisory orders issued by

       our supreme court in separate cases and asserts that they establish defendant’s appeal should be

       considered on the merits, notwithstanding the forfeiture. See Cinkus v. Village of Stickney

       Municipal Officers Electoral Board, 228 Ill. 2d 200, 221 (2008) (supervisory orders are not

       precedent); In re Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d 345, 352 n.2 (2009) (“We take this opportunity to remind

       *** future litigants that citation to supervisory orders is inappropriate ***.”); see also Burke, 2024

                                                        13
       IL App (5th) 231167, ¶¶ 34-41 (rejecting the defendant’s similar argument based on supervisory

       orders).

¶ 39          We acted within our discretion when we dismissed the appeal based on defendant’s failure

       to present any argument to this court. McCann, 2015 IL App (1st) 141291, ¶¶ 19-20. Nevertheless,

       we choose in this case to overlook defendant’s inappropriate citation of supervisory orders and

       grant his petition for rehearing to address whether dismissal was the appropriate disposition here.

       See Anundson v. City of Chicago, 97 Ill. App. 2d 212, 221 (1968) (choosing to address certain

       points in a petition for rehearing even though the petition was improper).

¶ 40          As noted, in proceedings under the Act, defendant is presumed to be entitled to release

       pending trial. 725 ILCS 5/110-2(a) (West 2022). Our legislature has granted defendants the right

       to have orders denying their pretrial release reviewed by this court. Id. § 110-6.1(j) (“The

       defendant shall be entitled to appeal any order entered under [section 110-6.1] denying his or her

       pretrial release.” (Emphasis added.)). And at the present time, defendant is presumed innocent of

       the charges, and this appeal concerns his liberty. It would be unfair for defendant to lose his

       statutory right to a review of the detention order by reason of his counsel’s failure to advocate on

       his behalf. Thus, we find dismissal of his appeal without any review was not the appropriate

       disposition of this case. Rather, the appropriate course of action was to (1) review the record

       against defendant’s bare contentions and (2) declare a forfeiture and affirm if the evidence

       supported the court’s findings. See People v. Jordan, 2024 IL App (2d) 230532-U, ¶ 19.

¶ 41          We have reviewed the record, and the evidence supported the circuit court’s findings that

       (1) defendant’s release posed a real and present threat to the safety of any person, persons, or the

       community and (2) no condition or combination of conditions could mitigate that threat. See 725

       ILCS 5/110-6.1(e)(2), (3) (West 2022). This offense was allegedly committed during an illegal

                                                       14
       gun or drug transaction, at a public park when other persons were lawfully present. See id. §§ 110-

       5(a)(1), (2); 110-6.1(g)(1). Further, the record shows defendant committed another firearms

       offense before his arrest in this case, demonstrating defendant has access to weapons and is not

       deterred from carrying them and using them illegally. See id. §§ 110-5(a)(3); 110-6.1(g)(2), (7).

       Because the record supports the circuit court’s findings, we affirm the detention order. Any further

       analysis would amount to advocacy on defendant’s behalf, which we will not do. Givens, 237 Ill.

       2d at 323-24.

¶ 42           In closing, we emphasize that OSAD has all but abdicated its role in these proceedings and

       its duty to advocate zealously on defendant’s behalf. See Ill. R. Prof’l Conduct (2010) R. 1.3 cmt.

       1 (eff. Jan. 1, 2010) (“A lawyer should *** take whatever lawful and ethical measures are required

       to vindicate a client’s cause or endeavor. A lawyer must also act with commitment and dedication

       to the interests of the client and with zeal in advocacy upon the client’s behalf.”); People v.

       Mancilla, 2024 IL App (2d) 230505, ¶ 32 (“[C]ounsel have a duty to zealously defend clients in

       any proceedings under the Code.”). OSAD never responded to the State’s motion to dismiss

       (despite saying it would), and it did not make any argument in support of the bare contentions

       contained in defendant’s notice of appeal. Even though we would have rejected such an argument

       out of hand (Ill. S. Ct. R. 367(b) (eff. Nov. 1, 2017)), OSAD did not even argue the merits of

       defendant’s contentions in the petition for rehearing. In short, OSAD made no effort to sustain

       defendant’s burden to establish error. See Molner, 415 Ill. at 176.

¶ 43           We will not speculate as to why OSAD declined to present argument on the merits at any

       time in this case. That was OSAD and defendant’s choice to make. Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(2) (eff.

       Dec. 7, 2023). And we are cognizant of the burden the new pretrial release provisions have placed

       on defense attorneys, the State, and the courts, both at the circuit and appellate levels, and the strict

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       time requirements placed on all participants under Rule 604(h). We also acknowledge that we are

       all learning this new way together. However, for our new system to function as intended, we must

       all take care to faithfully apply article 110 of the Code. That aim requires earnest and thoughtful

       participation from both the defendant and the State. Here, OSAD abdicated its role and deprived

       this court of defendant’s meaningful participation. As a result, defendant could not establish error.

¶ 44                                          III. CONCLUSION

¶ 45          For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Will County.

¶ 46          Affirmed.

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                     People v. Woods, 2024 IL App (3d) 230592

Decision Under Review:    Appeal from the Circuit Court of Will County, No. 23-CF-1123;
                          the Hon. Amy Bertani-Tomczak, Judge, presiding.

Attorneys                 James E. Chadd and Carolyn R. Klarquist, of State Appellate
for                       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, for the People.
Appellee:

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