Court Opinion

ID: 9350098
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-12-23 16:02:07.933627+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:48:53.413615
License: Public Domain

2022 IL App (1st) 210762
                                            No. 1-21-0762
                                   Opinion filed: December 23, 2022
                                                                                     Sixth Division
 ______________________________________________________________________________

                                               IN THE
                                  APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
                                          FIRST DISTRICT
 ______________________________________________________________________________
 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF                                    )   Appeal from the Circuit Court
 ILLINOIS,                                                     )   of Cook County, Illinois County
                                                               )
           Plaintiff-Appellee,                                 )   No. 18 CR 17773
                                                               )
     v.                                                        )   The Honorable
                                                               )   Timothy Chambers,
 DARRELL BALLARD,                                              )   Judge Presiding.
                                                               )
           Defendant-Appellant.                                )

           JUSTICE C.A. WALKER delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
           Justice Oden Johnson and Justice Tailor concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                            OPINION

¶1        Following a jury trial, defendant Darrell Ballard was convicted of attempted aggravated

arson (720 ILCS 5/8-4(a), 20-1.1 (West 2018)) and sentenced to a six-year prison term. On appeal,

Ballard does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain his conviction. Instead,

Ballard argues the trial court abused its discretion by relying on unconstitutionally infirm COVID-

19 pandemic-related orders from the Illinois Supreme Court and denying his motion to dismiss the

case where he had been detained for more than 120 days in violation of section 103-5 of the Code
No. 1-21-0762

of Criminal Procedure of 1963, the speedy trial statute (725 ILCS 5/103-5(a) (West 2018)). For

the foregoing reasons, we affirm Ballard’s conviction for attempted aggravated arson.

¶2                                     I. BACKGROUND

¶3     On November 20, 2018, Ballard was arrested for attempted aggravated arson and attempted

first degree murder of Edna Glenn and her daughter Jordan Lambropoulos. On November 22,

2018, Ballard appeared in bond court, and the court set no bail. On January 3, 2019, Ballard was

arraigned, and the Office of the Cook County Public Defender was appointed to represent him.

Ballard’s case was continued by agreement 14 times between January 3 and October 23, 2019. On

October 23, the case was continued on defense’s motion to November 8 so that Ballard could

consider the State’s plea offer. On November 8, the offer remained open, and the case was

continued by agreement to December 4, 2019, and then to January 6, 2020. On January 6, the

parties continued the case by agreement to February 10, 2020, to set the case for trial. On February

10, Ballard’s attorney filed a motion to withdraw, and the case was continued by agreement on

March 10, 2020, and again on March 12, 2020, for resolution of the motion to withdraw.

¶4     On March 12, 2020, Ballard’s public defender requested that the Office of the Cook County

Public Defender be allowed to withdraw from Ballard’s case. The court denied the request to allow

the office to withdraw but allowed Ballard’s assigned assistant public defender to withdraw and a

new assistant public defender to file an appearance on Ballard’s behalf. The case was continued

by agreement on March 30, 2020.

¶5     In March 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court and the chief judge of the circuit court of Cook

County issued a series of orders, M.R. 30370, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March

17, 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court entered an order, which stated that “courts shall continue to

establish and periodically update, as necessary, temporary procedures to minimize the impact of

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COVID-19 on the court system, while continuing to provide access to justice.” Ill. S. Ct., M.R.

30370 (eff. Mar. 17, 2020). All courts were allowed to “[m]odify or suspend any deadlines and

procedures, whether prescribed by local rule or order, for a stated period ending no later than 30

days after the Governor’s state of emergency declaration has been lifted” and “[t]ake any other

reasonable action to avoid exposing court proceedings to the threat of COVID-19.” Id.

¶6     On March 20, 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered that

       “the Chief Judges of each circuit may continue trials for the next 60 days and until further

       order of this Court. In the case of criminal proceedings, any delay resulting from this

       emergency continuance order shall not be attributable to either the State or the defendant

       for purposes of section 103-5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 [citation].” Ill. S.

       Ct., M.R. 30370 (eff. Mar. 20, 2020).

On March 30, Chief Judge Timothy Evans ordered that, except in certain cases, “all matters in all

Districts and Divisions of the court are rescheduled and continued for a period of 30 days from the

originally scheduled court date or a date not more than 30 days after May 18, 2020, whichever is

later.” Chief Judge Evans further ordered that “[a]ny delay resulting from this emergency

continuance order shall not be attributable to either the State or the defendant for purposes of

section 103-5 (speedy trial).”

¶7     On April 3, 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered that

                “[t]he Chief Judges of each circuit may continue trials until further order of this

       Court. In the case of criminal proceedings, any delay resulting from this emergency

       continuance order shall not be attributable to either the State or the defendant for purposes

       of section 103-5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 [citation].” Ill. S. Ct., M.R.

       30370 (eff. Apr. 3, 2020).

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The court explained in its May 20, 2020, order that trial continuances “serve the ends of justice

and outweigh the best interests of the public and defendants in a speedy trial” and are “excluded

from speedy trial computations.” Ill. S. Ct., M.R. 30370 (eff. June 1, 2020). On May 1, Chief Judge

Evans modified his March 30 order extending the case rescheduling date to May 31, 2020.

¶8     On May 4, 2020, Ballard’s attorney appeared in court by video conference and requested

bond review due to COVID-19 circumstances. The court then set a $150,000 bond with electronic

monitoring and global positioning system (GPS). Ballard never posted bond and remained in

custody. Ballard’s case was continued on June 23, 2020, and again on July 16, 2020.

¶9     On May 20, 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered that, effective June 1, 2020,

       “each circuit may return to hearing court matters, whether in person or remotely, according

       to a schedule to be adopted for each county by the chief judge in each circuit. The circuit

       courts shall continue, to the extent possible, to allow for appropriate social distancing and

       attempt to reduce the number of persons appearing personally for court appearances.” Id.

The court reiterated that trial continuances are excluded from speedy trial computations and that

the provision “also applies when a trial is delayed when the court determines proper distancing

and facilities limitations prevent the trial from proceeding safely.” Id.

¶ 10   On May 28, 2020, Chief Judge Evans modified his May 1 order extending the case

rescheduling date to July 6, 2020. On June 4, 2020, the presiding judge of the criminal division

ordered that, effective June 8, 2020, and “[c]onsistent with current operations, all matters will be

heard via Zoom. There will be no in-court proceedings. *** During this period, judges will not

conduct evidentiary hearings or trials.”

¶ 11   On June 26, 2020, Chief Judge Evans ordered that, effective July 6, 2020, “the circuit court

will begin hearing all matters in all Districts and Divisions of the court with the exception of jury

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No. 1-21-0762

trials.” The order reaffirmed that “[a]ny delay resulting from this order *** shall not be attributable

to either the State or the defendant for purposes of [the speedy trial act].”

¶ 12   On July 16, 2020, defense counsel informed the court that Ballard demanded trial, and the

court noted Ballard’s request on the record. Ballard subsequently filed a pro se “Petition for

Discharge of Incarcerated Defendant Based on Statutory Speedy Trial Violation.” Thereafter, the

case was continued four times. On November 13, 2020, Ballard rejected the State’s plea offer and

made an oral demand for a jury trial. On November 25, Ballard filed a pro se “Affidavit” alleging

a violation of his speedy trial rights and a pro se “Motion Demanding Speedy and Public Trial.”

¶ 13   On November 23, 2020, Chief Judge Evans ordered that “[n]o bench trials in criminal cases

and jury trials of any kind shall be held until further order of the court.” He reiterated that “[a]ny

delays resulting from this order *** shall not be attributable to either the State or the defendant for

purposes of section 103-5 (speedy trial) of the Code of the Criminal Procedure of 1963.”

¶ 14   On February 3, 2021, defense counsel filed a motion to dismiss based on a violation of the

speedy trial statute. The court denied the motion, and the case was continued to March 17, 2021.

¶ 15   On March 23 and April 23, 2021, Chief Judge Evans amended his order to allow the

holding of jury trials. The order provided that

       “the number of jury trials and jury trial locations shall be determined by beginning with a

       jury trial in the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on or about March 22 and a jury trial at the

       Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview) on or about March 29, and resources and public

       health guidelines permitting, be gradually expanded to other courthouses after May 3,

       2021.”

¶ 16   On April 19, 2021, the parties appeared in court via videoconference. Ballard renewed his

demand for trial and motion to dismiss based on a violation of the speedy trial statute. The court

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No. 1-21-0762

stated, “Defendant’s demand for trial is noted for the record. The motion to dismiss will be denied

for the same reason it has been in the past, because of the Supreme Court Rules dealing with

Coronavirus.” The parties set a date for jury trial, which began on May 10, 2021.

¶ 17    On June 30, 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered that, beginning October 1, 2021,

section 103-5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 would not be tolled due to the COVID-

19 pandemic. The court explained that the days prior to March 20, 2020, and days beginning on

and after October 1, 2021, must be included in the speedy trial computations as set forth in section

103-5. Ill. S. Ct., M.R. 30370 (eff. June 30, 2021).

¶ 18    At the end of Ballard’s trial, the jury found him guilty of attempted aggravated arson but

not guilty of attempted first degree murder. Ballard filed a motion for a new trial, alleging,

inter alia, that the court erred when it denied his motion to dismiss based on a violation of his

speedy trial right. The trial court denied the motion, stating that “it did occur during the Corona

virus pandemic, and this court at all times acted in compliance with the rules and orders of the

Illinois State Supreme Court.” The court sentenced Ballard to six years’ imprisonment. Ballard

now appeals.

¶ 19                                        II. ANALYSIS

¶ 20    Ballard raises two issues on appeal. First, Ballard contends that the circuit court abused its

discretion when it denied his motion to dismiss based on a speedy trial violation on the ground that

the Illinois Supreme Court COVID-19 emergency orders tolled the 120-day speedy trial period.

Ballard claims that the supreme court’s orders violated the doctrine of separation of powers under

the Illinois Constitution. See Ill. Const. 1970, art. II, § 1. Second, Ballard asserts that his right to a

speedy trial was violated where his time in custody exceeded the 120-day speedy trial period. We

address each issue respectively.

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No. 1-21-0762

¶ 21   In Illinois, a defendant has both a constitutional (U.S. Const., amends. VI, XIV; Ill. Const.

1970., art. I, § 8) and a statutory right (725 ILCS 5/103-5(a) (West 2018)) to a speedy trial pursuant

to the speedy trial statute. People v. Cordell, 223 Ill. 2d 380, 385 (2006); People v. Sykes, 2017 IL

App (1st) 150023, ¶ 35.

¶ 22   “Our standard of review for a statutory speedy-trial issue is twofold. First, absent an abuse

of discretion, we will sustain the [circuit] court’s determination as to who is responsible for a delay

in the trial [citation], and second, we review de novo the ultimate question of whether the

defendant’s statutory right [to a speedy trial] was violated [citation].” People v. Janusz, 2020 IL

App (2d) 190017, ¶ 56; see also People v. Kliner, 185 Ill. 2d 81, 115 (1998). Speedy trial provisions

were enacted to avoid infringements of a defendant’s constitutional rights. Hence, they are to be

liberally construed in favor of the defendant. People v. Kohler, 2012 IL App (2d) 100513, ¶ 23.

¶ 23            A. Validity of the COVID-19 Orders from the Illinois Supreme Court

¶ 24   Ballard argues that the Illinois Supreme Court “usurped the role of the legislature” when it

issued the COVID-19 emergency orders delaying trials and suspending the speedy trial statute in

violation of the doctrine of separation of powers under the Illinois Constitution “as well as Federal

Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment principles.” The State contends that Ballard forfeited this issue

and any claims under the United States Constitution. Alternatively, the State alleges that this court

should follow the decision in People v. Mayfield, 2021 IL App (2d) 200603, and hold that the

court-issued COVID-19 orders were constitutional.

¶ 25   As a preliminary matter, we address the State’s forfeiture arguments. We first note that,

while Ballard claims the court orders violated federal sixth and fourteenth amendment principles,

he failed to present any legal argument to support his contention. Illinois Supreme Court Rule

341(h)(7) (eff. Oct. 1, 2020) provides that the appellant’s brief must contain “[a]rgument, which

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No. 1-21-0762

shall contain the contentions of the appellant and the reasons therefor, with citation of the

authorities and the pages of the record relied on.” “[A] reviewing court is entitled to have the issues

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

(Internal quotation marks omitted.) Walters v. Rodriguez, 2011 IL App (1st) 103488, ¶ 5. Issues

that are ill-defined and insufficiently presented do not satisfy the rule and are considered waived.

Id. ¶ 6. Therefore, we find that Ballard waived any claims that the court orders violated the federal

constitution.

¶ 26      Furthermore, Ballard concedes that he did not raise the separation of powers issue before

the circuit court but asks this court to review the issue for plain error. Under the plain error doctrine,

a reviewing court may consider an unpreserved error when a clear or obvious error occurred and

(1) “the evidence is close, regardless of the seriousness of the error” or (2) “the error is serious,

regardless of the closeness of the evidence.” People v. Herron, 215 Ill. 2d 167, 187 (2005). We

must first determine whether clear error occurred. People v. Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d 551, 565

(2007).

¶ 27      The Illinois Constitution provides that “[t]he legislative, executive and judicial branches

are separate. No branch shall exercise powers properly belonging to another.” Ill. Const. 1970, art.

II, § 1. The constitution vests judicial power “in a Supreme Court, an Appellate Court and Circuit[ ]

Courts.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, § 1. “General administrative and supervisory authority over all

courts is vested in the Supreme Court and shall be exercised by the Chief Justice in accordance

with its rules.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, § 16. Judicial power includes the adjudication and

application of law, the procedural administration of the courts, and the rulemaking authority to

regulate the trial of cases. Kunkel v. Walton, 179 Ill. 2d 519, 528 (1997).

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No. 1-21-0762

¶ 28   In Kunkel, our supreme court recognized that, while the branches of government are

separate, their authority may overlap in certain functions. Id. at 528-29. The court explained:

                “The separation of powers provision does not seek to achieve a complete

       divorce between the branches of government; the purpose of the provision is to

       prevent the whole power of two or more branches from residing in the same hands.

       [Citation.] There are areas in which separate spheres of governmental authority

       overlap and certain functions are thereby shared. [Citation.] Where matters of

       judicial procedure are at issue, the constitutional authority to promulgate procedural

       rules can be concurrent between the court and the legislature. The legislature may

       enact laws that complement the authority of the judiciary or that have only a

       peripheral effect on court administration. [Citation.] Ultimately, however, this court

       retains primary constitutional authority over court procedure. Consequently, the

       separation of powers principle is violated when a legislative enactment unduly

       encroaches upon the inherent powers of the judiciary, or directly and irreconcilably

       conflicts with a rule of this court on a matter within the court’s authority.

       [Citations.] With regard to separation of powers violations resulting from conflicts

       between statutory provisions and court rules, this court has indicated that even

       where a statute, standing alone, does not violate the separation of powers clause,

       ‘the legislature is without authority to interfere with “a product of this court’s

       supervisory and administrative responsibility.” ’ [Citation.] The principle that court

       rules will supersede inconsistent statutory provisions is connected to ‘ “the

       undisputed duty of the court to protect its judicial powers from encroachment by

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No. 1-21-0762

        legislative enactments, and thus preserve an independent judicial department.” ’ ”

        Id.

¶ 29    In Mayfield, 2021 IL App (2d) 200603, ¶ 21, the Second District relied on Kunkel in

determining whether our supreme court exceeded its authority by tolling the run of the 120-day

speedy trial period pursuant to its COVID-19 orders. The court held that “[t]he scheduling of

criminal trials is a matter of procedure within the realm of our supreme court’s primary

constitutional authority.” Id. It further determined that, under Kunkel, “the court’s exercise of [its

authority to schedule criminal trials] through its orders prevails over the [speedy trial statute].” Id.

¶ 30    We agree with the Mayfield court that the supreme court’s constitutional authority over its

procedural administration encompasses the scheduling of criminal trials and that the court had

authority to exercise its power to toll the speedy trial period notwithstanding the speedy trial statute

provisions. Therefore, we find that the supreme court issued its COVID-19 orders in accordance

with the separation of powers doctrine of the Illinois Constitution. Accordingly, we hold that the

circuit court did not abuse it discretion when finding that the speedy trial term was tolled during

the period where the supreme court ordered “delay shall not be attributable to the State or the

defendant” under the speedy trial statute.

¶ 31                                  B. Speedy Trial Violation

¶ 32    In light of our decision to uphold the Illinois Supreme Court’s COVID-19 orders, we next

determine whether Ballard’s time in custody exceeded the 120-day statutory period in violation of

the speedy trial statute.

¶ 33    The speedy trial statute provides:

        “Every person in custody in this State for an alleged offence shall be tried by the

        court having jurisdiction within 120 days from the date he or she was taken into

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No. 1-21-0762

        custody unless delay is occasioned by the defendant ***. Delay shall be considered

        to be agreed to by the defendant unless he or she objects to the delay by making a

        written demand for trial or an oral demand for trial on the record.” 725 ILCS 5/103-

        5(a) (West 2018).

¶ 34    The parties agree that Ballard’s speedy trial term ran from the date of his arrest on

November 20, 2018, to his arraignment on January 3, 2019, totaling 44 days. Ballard asserts that

he was held in custody for an additional 178 days from November 13, 2020, when he demanded

trial, to May 10, 2021, the commencement of his trial, that were not attributable to him because

the “delay was attributable to continuances by the [circuit] court based on the Illinois Supreme

Court’s emergency orders.” Ballard claims that, as a result, he was detained for 222 days,

exceeding the 120-day speedy trial period.

¶ 35    Between March 20, 2020, to June 30, 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court issued several

COVID-19 emergency orders that either prohibited the scheduling of trials or gave the circuit court

authority to delay trials and tolled any delays resulting from its orders under the speedy trial statute.

On May 20, 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered that, effective June 1, 2020, “each circuit

may return to hearing court matters, whether in person or remotely, according to a schedule to be

adopted for each county by the chief judge in each circuit.” Ill. S. Ct., M.R. 30370 (eff. June 1,

2020). The court reiterated that trial continuances are excluded from speedy trial computations and

that the provision “also applies when a trial is delayed when the court determines proper distancing

and facilities limitations prevent the trial from proceeding safely.” Id.

¶ 36    Chief Judge Evans continued the delay of jury trials until March 23, 2021. On that day,

Chief Judge Evans issued an order allowing jury trials to be held “at the Leighton Criminal

Courthouse on or about March 22 [2021], and a jury trial at the Fifth Municipal District

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No. 1-21-0762

(Bridgeview) on or about March 29, and resources and public health guidelines permitting, be

gradually expanded to other courthouses after May 3, 2021.”

¶ 37    On June 30, 2021, the supreme court ordered that, beginning October 1, 2021, the speedy

trial statute would not be tolled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ill. S. Ct., M.R. 30370 (eff. June

30, 2021). The court explained that the days prior to March 20, 2020, and days beginning on and

after October 1, 2021, must be included in the speedy trial computations as set forth in the speedy

trial statute. Id.

¶ 38    Ballard’s speedy trial term ran for 44 days from the date of his arrest on November 20,

2018, to his arraignment on January 3, 2019. Between January 3 and October 23, 2019, Ballard’s

case was continued by agreement of the parties. On October 23, Ballard’s case was continued on

defense motion to November 8, 2019. Between November 8, 2019, and March 30, 2020, Ballard’s

case was continued by agreement of the parties. As a result of the COVID-19 emergency court

orders issued between March 20, 2020, and June 30, 2021, Ballard’s speedy trial term was tolled

between March 30, 2020, and May 10, 2021. Because we find that the emergency court orders

were constitutionally valid, any delays in Ballard’s trial during the period did not count toward

Ballard’s speedy trial term.

¶ 39    Chief Judge Evans issued an order allowing jury trials at all courthouses to be conducted

after May 3, 2021, and Ballard’s trial began on May 10, 2021. Excluding any delay resulting from

the court-issued COVID-19 orders, Ballard’s speedy trial term ran for 44 days and did not exceed

the 120-day statutory period under the speedy trial statute. Accordingly, we hold that there was no

violation of the speedy trial statute.

¶ 40                                     III. CONCLUSION

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¶ 41   We find that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion when it determined that Ballard’s

speedy trial term was tolled pursuant to the court-issued COVID-19 emergency orders. We also

find that there was no violation of the speedy trial statute. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the

circuit court’s decision.

¶ 42   Affirmed.

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No. 1-21-0762

                     People v. Ballard, 2022 IL App (1st) 210762

Decision Under Review:     Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County, No. 18-CR-
                           17773; the Hon. Timothy Chambers, Judge, presiding.

Attorneys                  James E. Chadd, Douglas R. Hoff, and Ann B. McLennan, of
for                        State Appellate Defender’s Office, of Chicago, for appellant.
Appellant:

Attorneys                  Kimberly M. Foxx, State’s Attorney, of Chicago (Enrique
for                        Abraham, Douglas P. Harvath, Marci Jacobs, and Julie Riekse,
Appellee:                  Assistant State’s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People.

                                          s

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