Court Opinion

ID: 9839168
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-11 22:04:41.383747+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:11:59.801604
License: Public Domain

NOTICE                          2023 IL App (4th) 221042-U
This Order was filed under
                                                                                                 FILED
Supreme Court Rule 23 and is                                                                September 11, 2023
                                 NOS. 4-22-1042, 4-22-1045, 4-22-1047, 4-22-1051
not precedent except in the                                                                     Carla Bender
limited circumstances allowed                                                               4th District Appellate
under Rule 23(e)(1).                       IN THE APPELLATE COURT                                 Court, IL

                                                    OF ILLINOIS

                                                FOURTH DISTRICT

         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,                          )      Appeal from the
                    Plaintiff-Appellee,                                )      Circuit Court of
                    v.                                                 )      McLean County
         RACHEL NICOLE HAMEL,                                          )      Nos. 20CF844
                    Defendant-Appellant.                               )           20CF865
                                                                       )           21CF799
                                                                       )           21CF929
                                                                       )
                                                                       )      Honorable
                                                                       )      William A. Yoder,
                                                                       )      Judge Presiding.

                         JUSTICE ZENOFF delivered the judgment of the court.
                         Justices Harris and Doherty concurred in the judgment.

                                                       ORDER

        ¶1       Held: The appellate court held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing
                       defendant to an aggregate 12-year prison sentence following her guilty pleas.

        ¶2               After defendant, Rachel Nicole Hamel, pleaded guilty to (1) one count of delivery

        of methamphetamine (720 ILCS 646/55(a)(1) (West 2020)) in McLean County case No.

        20-CF-865, (2) one count of retail theft (720 ILCS 5/16-25(a)(1) (West 2020)) in McLean County

        case No. 20-CF-844, (3) one count of delivery of methamphetamine in McLean County case No.

        21-CF-799, and (4) one count of delivery of a controlled substance (720 ILCS 570/401(d)(i) (West

        2020)) in McLean County case No. 21-CF-929, defendant was sentenced to an aggregate of 12

        years in prison. The trial court denied defendant’s motions to reconsider her prison sentence.
Defendant appeals, arguing that the court abused its discretion in sentencing her to 12 years in

prison. We affirm.

¶3                                       I. BACKGROUND

¶4             In 2021, the State charged defendant with the above offenses as well as the

following additional offenses in McLean County case No. 20-CF-844: (1) one count of delivery

of methamphetamine, (2) one count of possession of methamphetamine (720 ILCS 646/60(a)

(West 2020)), and (3) one count of possession of drug paraphernalia (720 ILCS 600/3.5(a) (West

2020)). In March 2021, defendant pleaded guilty to one count of retail theft in case No. 20-CF-844

and one count of delivery of methamphetamine in case No. 20-CF-865. In exchange for

defendant’s guilty pleas, the prosecutor agreed to nolle pros the remaining charges against

defendant. The plea included no recommendations regarding sentencing. At the guilty plea

hearing, the prosecutor gave a factual basis for the charges, asserting that, in July 2020, defendant

failed to scan $132 in merchandise at a Walmart in Normal, Illinois, and that in August 2020,

defendant sold 0.9 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential source for $120. The trial court

informed defendant of the possible range of penalties on each of the charges and accepted

defendant’s guilty pleas, finding them to be made knowingly and voluntarily. The court then set

the case for a sentencing date and released defendant from jail pending the sentencing hearing.

¶5             Prior to defendant’s sentencing in case Nos. 20-CF-844 and 20-CF-865, defendant

was charged with additional offenses. In case No. 21-CF-799, defendant was charged with

delivery of methamphetamine, and in case No. 21-CF-929, defendant was charged with delivery

of a controlled substance. In September 2021, defendant pleaded guilty to those new offenses

pursuant to an open plea, and the plea agreement indicated that the sentences would be served

consecutive to the sentences received in the prior cases. At the plea hearing, the trial court informed

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defendant of the possible sentencing ranges for the offenses and the consequences of pleading

guilty. As a factual basis, the State explained that on July 20, 2021, defendant sold a police

informant Xanax for $80 and that on June 28, 2021, a confidential source purchased

methamphetamine from defendant for $100. The court accepted defendant’s guilty pleas as to these

offenses, finding them to be knowingly and voluntarily made.

¶6            A presentence investigation report (PSI) indicated that defendant had an extensive

criminal record dating back to 1997. Specifically, defendant’s record included an ordinance

violation, 57 traffic violations, 4 misdemeanors, and 5 felonies. The PSI further indicated that

defendant was on felony probation in Macon County and felony bond in Tazewell and Peoria

Counties when the offenses in case Nos. 20-CF-844 and 20-CF-865 were committed. Similarly,

defendant was on felony bond in Tazewell, Peoria, and McLean Counties when the offenses in

case Nos. 21-CF-799 and 21-CF-929 were committed. The PSI explained that during defendant’s

incarceration while awaiting sentencing, she participated in Alcoholics Anonymous, “Path to

Healing, Celebrate Recovery, Job Partnership, Church, [and] Bible Study.” Additionally,

defendant was waiting to be screened for eligibility for Labyrinth House and was a “pod worker.”

¶7            The PSI also detailed defendant’s “very traumatic childhood.” On one occasion,

defendant’s mother left defendant with a man she met three days prior, and the man molested

defendant. Between the ages of four and six, defendant was in foster homes due to her mother’s

substance abuse issues. The PSI indicated that defendant and her siblings had been chained in a

closet. From ages six to fourteen, defendant was in the care of her maternal grandmother, and

defendant was molested by her grandmother’s husband. When defendant was 14, her grandmother

dropped her off with child protective services because her grandmother “could no longer care for

her.” When defendant was 16, she was raped by her brother-in-law. As to defendant’s adult life,

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the PSI stated that she was married twice and that both marriages involved domestic battery in

which she was the victim. Defendant reported that she has three children and six grandchildren,

and she has helped raise four of her grandchildren. The PSI indicated that defendant began using

methamphetamine daily in 1998 but stopped in January 2000 while she was pregnant. Defendant

reported that she did not use methamphetamine for a period of 18 years because she was “a soccer

mom and grandmother.” Defendant acknowledged that she began using methamphetamine daily

again as her children got older because she “did not feel needed.” The PSI provided that defendant

had a history of physical and mental health issues, including hepatomegaly, hypocalcemia,

hypothyroidism, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin D deficiency, asthma, attention-deficit disorder,

bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

¶8             The trial court held a sentencing hearing on November 4, 2021. The court stated

that it had received a handwritten letter from the defendant as well as the PSI. In the letter,

defendant explained that, after being released and awaiting sentencing following her initial guilty

plea, she was “determined to stay clean.” Defendant stated that she was initially placed in the

outpatient program of a drug rehabilitation facility, but after a relapse, she sought admission to the

facility’s inpatient program because it was more structured. Defendant reported that she would not

be admitted, however, until she “took care of [her] health issues.” Although defendant was

eventually admitted, she was discharged after four or five days due to her medical issues.

¶9             The State argued that defendant had an extensive criminal history and, more

significantly, engaged in criminal activity “in a very short period of time.” The State highlighted

that defendant “had a golden opportunity to address some issues” after she was released from

custody in March 2021 and to “show the Court that she was on the right path,” but she instead

committed additional offenses. The State recommended (1) three years in prison for the retail theft

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in case No. 20-CF-844, (2) seven years for delivery of methamphetamine in case No. 20-CF-865,

(3) eight years for delivery of methamphetamine in case No. 21-CF-799, and (4) nine years for

delivery of a controlled substance in case No. 21-CF-949. In response, defendant’s counsel

requested probation or, alternatively, the minimum term of six years’ imprisonment, reflective of

defendant’s attempts to obtain treatment for herself.

¶ 10           Defendant then gave a statement in allocution in which she stated she would like a

chance to prove that she could overcome her addiction and mental health issues. Defendant stated

that she took “total responsibility for [her] actions,” and with the proper resources, she believed

she could be a positive role model for her children.

¶ 11           Thereafter, the trial court explained that it considered the PSI, defendant’s letter,

and “all the evidence in aggravation and mitigation.” Additionally, the court stated that it

considered all statutory factors in mitigation and aggravation. The court noted that defendant

demonstrated that she did have the “potential to stay clean” and had done so “while raising [her]

family.” The court also described defendant’s letter and statement in allocution as “very

thoughtful.” However, the court stated that defendant’s record was “very troubling.” The court

explained that defendant had numerous prior felony offenses, misdemeanor offenses, and traffic

offenses “that expand decades.” Additionally, defendant committed some of the offenses she was

being sentenced for while she was released on bond. The court acknowledged that defendant

attempted treatment and worked hard to complete it. However, the court found that a

community-based sentence “would deprecate the seriousness of these offenses and be inconsistent

with the ends of justice.” Additionally, the court believed that imprisonment was necessary for the

protection of the public. Thus, the court sentenced defendant to imprisonment for (1) three years

for retail theft in case No. 20-CF-844, (2) six years for delivery of methamphetamine in case No.

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20-CF-865, concurrent with the sentence in case No. 20-CF-844, (3) six years for delivery of

methamphetamine in case No. 21-CF-799, consecutive to the sentences in case Nos. 20-CF-844

and 20-CF-865, and (4) six years for delivery of a controlled substance in case No. 21-CF-929,

concurrent with the sentence imposed in case No. 21-CF-799 but consecutive to the sentences

imposed in case Nos. 20-CF-844 and 20-CF-865. In the aggregate, defendant was sentenced to 12

years in prison.

¶ 12           The trial court denied defendant’s subsequent motion to reconsider sentence, and

this court remanded for compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(d) (eff. July 1, 2017).

People v. Hamel, No. 4-21-0734 (2022) (unpublished order). On remand, defendant’s counsel filed

compliant Rule 604(d) certificates and renewed defendant’s motion for reconsideration. Counsel

asked the court to consider sentencing defendant to probation or to a shorter prison sentence so

that defendant could pursue rehabilitation. The State responded that the court considered

applicable factors in aggravation and mitigation, so the sentence defendant received was

appropriate. The court determined that it reviewed the PSI and all relevant factors in aggravation

and mitigation. The court stated that it had considered, inter alia, that defendant had a lengthy

criminal record, that defendant was being sentenced on additional felonies, and that a sentence of

probation would deprecate the seriousness of the offense and be inconsistent with the ends of

justice. The court determined that based upon the factors it considered, it made the appropriate

findings and imposed the appropriate sentence. Accordingly, the court denied defendant’s motion

to reconsider sentence.

¶ 13           This appeal followed.

¶ 14                                     II. ANALYSIS

¶ 15           On appeal, defendant argues that her 12-year sentence is excessive.

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¶ 16           The Illinois Constitution provides that “[a]ll penalties shall be determined both

according to the seriousness of the offense and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful

citizenship.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. 1, § 11. The trial court’s sentence must be premised upon the

particular circumstances of the case, including the defendant’s history, character, and rehabilitative

potential; the seriousness of the offense; the need to protect society; and the need for punishment

and deterrence. People v. Klein, 2022 IL App (4th) 200599, ¶ 34. The trial court must consider

aggravating factors such as a defendant’s history of delinquency or criminal activity and the need

to deter others from committing the same crime. Klein, 2022 IL App (4th) 200599, ¶ 34. Mitigating

factors include where the defendant’s criminal conduct neither caused nor threatened serious

physical harm to another. Klein, 2022 IL App (4th) 200599, ¶ 34.

¶ 17           A reviewing court gives substantial deference to the trial court’s sentencing

decision because the trial judge who has observed the defendant and the proceedings is in a much

better position to consider factors like the defendant’s credibility, demeanor, moral character,

mentality, environments, habits, and age. People v. Snyder, 2011 IL 111382, ¶ 36. The weight to

be given to a proper sentencing factor is left to the sound discretion of the trial court. People v.

Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106, ¶ 56. The appellate court will not substitute its judgment

for that of the trial court merely because it would have weighed a sentencing factor differently.

Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106, ¶ 56. A sentence that is within the range authorized by

statute is presumptively proper, and we may not disturb the sentence absent an abuse of discretion.

Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106, ¶ 56. An abuse of discretion occurs if the sentence is greatly

at odds with the spirit and purpose of the law or is manifestly disproportionate to the nature of the

offense. Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106, ¶ 56.

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¶ 18           Here, defendant was sentenced on four counts: delivery of methamphetamine in

case No. 20-CF-865, retail theft in case No. 20-CF-844, delivery of methamphetamine in case No.

21-CF-799, and delivery of a controlled substance in case No. 21-CF-929. The two delivery of

methamphetamine counts and the delivery of a controlled substance count were Class 2 felonies

(see 720 ILCS 646/55(a)(2)(A) (West 2020); 720 ILCS 570/401(d) (West 2020)), and the retail

theft count was a Class 4 felony (see 720 ILCS 5/16-25(f)(1) (West 2020)). Defendant was eligible

for extended-term sentencing (see 730 ILCS 5/5-8-2 (West 2020)). Accordingly, on the Class 2

felonies, defendant faced sentences of 7 to 14 years’ imprisonment (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-35(a) (West

2020)), and on the Class 4 felony, defendant faced a sentence of 3 to 6 years’ imprisonment (730

ILCS 5/5-4.5-45(a) (West 2020)).

¶ 19           Defendant’s aggregate 12-year prison sentence was statutorily authorized, and

defendant does not contest this. Nevertheless, defendant argues that her rehabilitative potential and

desire for positive life changes were mitigating factors that warranted a lesser sentence.

Specifically, defendant argues that “a sentence closer to the minimum *** would be a more

appropriate disposition” because (1) none of the offenses she committed were crimes of violence,

(2) she would be a positive role model in her family, and (3) she showed remorse for her actions.

¶ 20           Defendant effectively asks this court to reweigh the factors the trial court

considered and to place greater weight on the mitigating factors. However, as previously noted,

we will not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court regarding how to weigh a sentencing

factor merely because we would have weighed it differently. Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106,

¶ 56.

¶ 21           Here, the sentence was within the statutory range, and therefore, it was

presumptively proper. Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106, ¶ 56. The court explained that, in

                                                -8-
determining defendant’s sentence, it considered the PSI, defendant’s letter, and all the evidence

and statutory factors in aggravation and mitigation. The court acknowledged that defendant did

have “some potential to stay clean” and demonstrated as much for “years while raising [her]

family,” despite having a troubled childhood. The court also acknowledged that defendant’s letter

to the court and statement in allocution, in which she accepted responsibility for her actions, were

“very thoughtful.” Even so, the court explained that defendant had a lengthy criminal record

consisting of 57 traffic violations, 4 misdemeanors, and 5 felonies that went back decades, and the

court found this criminal history to be “very troubling.” The court determined that, given this

history, and based on the evidence, a community-based sentence would deprecate the seriousness

of the offenses for which she was being charged. The court was required to consider defendant’s

criminal history (Klein, 2022 IL App (4th) 200599, ¶ 34), and although defendant emphasizes that

none of these offenses were violent, we will not disturb the court’s determination of how much

weight to attribute to this factor (Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106, ¶ 56).

¶ 22           Nor will we disturb the trial court’s determination that a 12-year sentence was

necessary despite defendant’s (1) capacity for rehabilitation, (2) ability to be a role model for her

family, and (3) accepting responsibility for her actions. The court considered these mitigating

factors, and despite appreciating defendant’s rehabilitative potential, her capacity to be a

productive member of her family, and her taking responsibility for her actions, the court found a

12-year sentence to be appropriate given defendant’s criminal history and the need to protect the

public. “A defendant’s rehabilitative potential and other mitigating factors are not entitled to

greater weight than the seriousness of the offense.” People v. Pippen, 324 Ill. App. 3d 649, 652

(2001). Nor does the existence of mitigating factors require the court to impose a more lenient

sentence. Pippen, 324 Ill. App. 3d at 652. We do not find the court’s imposition of a 12-year

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sentence to be greatly at odds with the spirit and purpose of the law or manifestly disproportionate

to the nature of the offense. Musgrave, 2019 IL App (4th) 170106, ¶ 56.

¶ 23           Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing

defendant to an aggregate 12 years in prison.

¶ 24                                   III. CONCLUSION

¶ 25           For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

¶ 26           Affirmed.

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