Court Opinion

ID: 7024922
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 05:01:36.659127+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:10:42.335201
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE GORMAN delivered the opinion of the court: The defendant, Joel C. Cain, was convicted of seven counts of residential burglary (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 19 — 3). The trial court initially sentenced him to four years’ probation under supervision of the Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) program. It later revoked his probation when it found he had committed a residential burglary during his sentence. Following a hearing, it resentenced him to seven concurrent 15-year prison terms. On appeal, the defendant contends that the court improperly considered two aggravating sentencing factors. He first objects to the following remarks by the court: “Did the criminal conduct cause or threaten serious physical harm to another? Well, if physical harm is mental harm, in the original cases, which is why we’re here on [sic], the individuals who were burglarized have indicated in letters to the Court, which are part of the January 29 pre-sentence investigation, that they were having problems coping with the fact that their home had been invaded and some of their children were having problems adjusting and worrying about the nighttime hours and the fact their home had been invaded. That’s not an uncommon feeling, and that’s certainly, I think, one that should be considered by a burglar when he enters a residence, and certainly the legislature has contemplated that by making it a mandatory prison sentence except in the limited areas ***.” The defendant contends that the trial court improperly relied on the causation or threat of harm as an aggravating factor, because such factors are implicit in residential burglary. See People v. Allen (1981), 97 Ill. App. 3d 38, 422 N.E.2d 254.  We begin our analysis by noting several well-established principles. The rule that a court may not consider a factor inherent in the offense is not meant to be applied rigidly, because sound public policy dictates that a sentence be varied in accordance with the circumstances of the offense. (People v. Saldivar (1986), 113 Ill. 2d 256, 497 N.E.2d 1138.) Accordingly, the degree of harm to a victim may be considered as an aggravating factor, even if that factor is arguably implicit in the offense. (See Saldivar, 113 Ill. 2d at 269, 497 N.E.2d at 1143.) The psychological harm to the victim may also be considered as an aggravating factor. (People v. Ehrich (1988), 165 Ill. App. 3d 1060, 519 N.E.2d 1137; People v. Fisher (1985), 135 Ill. App. 3d 502, 481 N.E.2d 1233.) Lastly, the trial court can consider the letters in the presentence report as evidence of the impact on the victims. Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 1005 — 3— 2(a)(3); People v. Hengl (1986), 144 Ill. App. 3d 405, 494 N.E.2d 937.  Applying the foregoing principles to the instant case, we find no error. A residential burglary can result in varying degrees of psychological harm, depending on the circumstances of the offense and the victim’s disposition. We find that the trial court could consider the letters as evidence of the varying levels of psychological harm suffered by the victims. The defendant also contends that the trial court erred in stating that “[the defendant] received compensation for committing the offense. Certainly, that’s the nature of burglary.” The defendant argues that the court improperly considered his receipt of proceeds as an aggravating factor, because that factor is implicit in residential burglary. See People v. Conover (1981), 84 Ill. 2d 400, 419 N.E.2d 906. We find no error. The court made the remarks while generally discussing the list of mitigating and aggravating factors found in the statutes (see Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, pars. 1005 — 5—3.1, 1005 — 5—3.2). In our judgment, the court did not rely on the receipt of proceeds as an aggravating factor. Rather, it merely recognized that such a factor is inherent in residential burglary. The judgment of the circuit court of Peoria County is affirmed. Affirmed. BARRY, J., concurs.