{ "id": 4060088, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. LEON BLAIR, Appellee", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Blair", "decision_date": "2005-06-03", "docket_number": "No. 96198", "first_page": "427", "last_page": "465", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "215 Ill. 2d 427" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill.", "id": 8772, "name": "Illinois Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "507 U.S. 725", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6237509 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "733" }, { "page": "519" }, { "page": "1777" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/507/0725-01" ] }, { "cite": "202 Ill. 2d 151", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1442053 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "158" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/202/0151-01" ] }, { "cite": "102 Ill. 2d 181", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3156888 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "concerning the appointment of counsel by the trial court to investigate a defendant's posttrial pro se allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/102/0181-01" ] }, { "cite": "169 Ill. 2d 355", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 909170 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "371-72" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/169/0355-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1578284 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "13" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/206/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 Ill. 2d 410", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 223616 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "420" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/174/0410-01" ] }, { "cite": "211 Ill. 2d 140", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 8451151 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "148" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/211/0140-01" ] }, { "cite": "194 Ill. 2d 135", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1096306 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "142" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/194/0135-01" ] }, { "cite": "116 Ill. 2d 357", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5543128 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "365" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/116/0357-01" ] }, { "cite": "197 Ill. 2d 239", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 259103 ], "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/197/0239-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 293", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1578326 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "299", "parenthetical": "claims which could have been raised are deemed \"waived\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/206/0293-01" ] }, { "cite": "197 Ill. 2d 216", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 259047 ], "weight": 4, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "221", "parenthetical": "claims which could have been raised are deemed \"forfeited\"" }, { "page": "221" }, { "page": "221" }, { "page": "221" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/197/0216-01" ] }, { "cite": "294 Ill. App. 3d 496", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 35381 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "506" }, { "page": "506" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/294/0496-01" ] }, { "cite": "187 Ill. 2d 418", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1131035 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "425" }, { "page": "425", "parenthetical": "claims which could have been raised are \"procedurally defaulted\"" }, { "page": "425" }, { "page": "425-26", "parenthetical": "broad, unsupported, conclusory allegations in a postconviction petition are not allowed" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/187/0418-01" ] }, { "cite": "205 Ill. 2d 444", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1302617 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "458" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/205/0444-01" ] }, { "cite": "183 Ill. 2d 366", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 209962 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "388-89" }, { "page": "378-79" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/183/0366-01" ] }, { "cite": "212 Ill. 2d 166", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2444474 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "175" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/212/0166-01" ] }, { "cite": "212 Ill. 2d 192", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2444097 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "208" }, { "page": "208-09" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/212/0192-01" ] }, { "cite": "338 Ill. App. 3d 262", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 25406 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "264" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/338/0262-01" ] }, { "cite": "351 Ill. App. 3d 219", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1083834 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "221-22" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/351/0219-01" ] }, { "cite": "312 Ill. App. 3d 529", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 411722 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/312/0529-01" ] }, { "cite": "352 Ill. App. 3d 678", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5459080 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "683", "parenthetical": "Fifth District case discussing this approach, but resolving the case on another basis" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/352/0678-01" ] }, { "cite": "345 Ill. App. 3d 937", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5872703 ], "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/345/0937-01" ] }, { "cite": "345 Ill. App. 3d 810", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5872727 ], "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/345/0810-01" ] }, { "cite": "344 Ill. App. 3d 599", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3778370 ], "weight": 5, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "613" }, { "page": "615" }, { "page": "617" }, { "page": "616-17" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/344/0599-01" ] }, { "cite": "352 Ill. App. 3d 442", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5457579 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "448" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/352/0442-01" ] }, { "cite": "345 Ill. App. 3d 868", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3740093 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "871" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/345/0868-01" ] }, { "cite": "345 Ill. App. 3d 60", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3738727 ], "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/345/0060-01" ] }, { "cite": "341 Ill. App. 3d 530", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5572423 ], "weight": 5, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "537" }, { "page": "537" }, { "page": "537" }, { "page": "536-37" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/341/0530-01" ] }, { "cite": "198 Ill. 2d 364", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 29941 ], "weight": 10, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "369" }, { "page": "369" }, { "page": "372" }, { "page": "372" }, { "page": "373" }, { "page": "373" }, { "page": "372" }, { "page": "372" }, { "page": "373" }, { "page": "373" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/198/0364-01" ] }, { "cite": "337 Ill. App. 3d 992", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 894531 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "995" }, { "page": "995" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/337/0992-01" ] }, { "cite": "202 Ill. 2d 89", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1442050 ], "weight": 17, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "101" }, { "page": "101" }, { "page": "102" }, { "page": "102" }, { "page": "102" }, { "page": "124", "parenthetical": "McMorrow, J., specially concurring" }, { "page": "100" }, { "page": "100" }, { "page": "97" }, { "page": "101" }, { "page": "101" }, { "page": "101" }, { "page": "97" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/202/0089-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 Ill. 2d 663", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "order" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "386 U.S. 738", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6182629 ], "weight": 15, "year": 1967, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "744" }, { "page": "498" }, { "page": "1400" }, { "page": "744", "parenthetical": "legal points \"arguable on their merits\" are not frivolous" }, { "page": "498", "parenthetical": "legal points \"arguable on their merits\" are not frivolous" }, { "page": "1400", "parenthetical": "legal points \"arguable on their merits\" are not frivolous" }, { "page": "744", "parenthetical": "legal points \"arguable on their merits\" are not frivolous" }, { "page": "498", "parenthetical": "legal points \"arguable on their merits\" are not frivolous" }, { "page": "1400", "parenthetical": "legal points \"arguable on their merits\" are not frivolous" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/386/0738-01" ] }, { "cite": "338 Ill. App. 3d 429", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 25442 ], "weight": 6, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "431" }, { "page": "431-32" }, { "page": "432" }, { "page": "431-32" }, { "page": "431-32" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/338/0429-01" ] }, { "cite": "185 Ill. 2d 467", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 122027 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "522", "parenthetical": "Freeman, C.J., specially concurring, joined by McMorrow, J." } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/185/0467-01" ] }, { "cite": "192 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 453273 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "11", "parenthetical": "Freeman, J., specially concurring, joined by Miller and McMorrow, JJ." } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/192/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 381", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1578232 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "402", "parenthetical": "Freeman, J., specially concurring" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/206/0381-01" ] }, { "cite": "693 F.2d 642", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 10590332 ], "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/693/0642-01" ] }, { "cite": "195 Ill. 2d 117", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 725376 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "123", "parenthetical": "citing cause and prejudice standard used in postconviction litigation" }, { "page": "137" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/195/0117-01" ] }, { "cite": "86 Ill. 2d 78", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5469878 ], "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "91", "parenthetical": "same" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/86/0078-01" ] }, { "cite": "104 Ill. 2d 399", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3146699 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "407", "parenthetical": "noting that principles of procedural default apply to the State as well as to defendants in criminal cases" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/104/0399-01" ] }, { "cite": "204 Ill. 2d 536", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 609709 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "552", "parenthetical": "acknowledging in postconviction proceeding that procedural default can be excused upon petitioner's showing of \"cause and prejudice\"" }, { "page": "552" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/204/0536-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 Ill. 2d 410", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 223616 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "418" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/174/0410-01" ] }, { "cite": "198 Ill. 2d 364", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 29941 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "371" }, { "page": "373", "parenthetical": "holding that \"the summary dismissal stage of the post-conviction proceeding does nothing more than allow the circuit court to act strictly in an administrative capacity by screening out those petitions which are without legal substance or are obviously without merit\"" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/198/0364-01" ] }, { "cite": "202 Ill. 2d 89", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1442050 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "124", "parenthetical": "McMorrow, J., specially concurring, joined by Freeman, J." }, { "page": "143", "parenthetical": "Thomas, J., specially concurring, joined by Fitzgerald, J." } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/202/0089-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1785, "char_count": 72510, "ocr_confidence": 0.801, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.392361716192762e-07, "percentile": 0.9758213702806612 }, "sha256": "9907397b4a5592dd01035b85722c8340e322b97875cd40aa3f06e539165b5b42", "simhash": "1:fba0f433766877bf", "word_count": 11795 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:33:32.210900+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. LEON BLAIR, Appellee." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE FITZGERALD\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nAs defendant Leon Blair and two friends were walking toward an intersection on the south side of Chicago, they encountered a car driven by Darryl Mims. After harsh words were exchanged, defendant pulled a .357 Magnum from his waistband, said \u201cball game,\u201d and killed Mims. A jury convicted defendant of first degree murder and the trial court imposed a sentence of 55 years\u2019 imprisonment. Following an unsuccessful direct appeal, defendant filed the instant postconviction petition, blaming his lawyers for his first degree murder conviction. The trial court summarily dismissed the petition based on res judicata or waiver. The appellate court reversed, holding that both res judicata and waiver are not permitted bases for summary dismissal under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 1 et seq. (West 2000)). 338 Ill. App. 3d 429, 431. We granted the State\u2019s petition for leave to appeal. See 177 Ill. 2d R. 315(a). We find the legislature intended to allow a judge to summarily dismiss petitions where facts ascertainable from the record reveal the petition\u2019s claims have already been decided, waived, or forfeited. We therefore reverse.\nBACKGROUND\nAt trial, the following evidence was adduced. On June 25,1995,18-year-old defendant, Leon \u201cLittle Tray\u201d Blair, acted as a security \u201clookout\u201d at a Black Disciples gang picnic on the south side of Chicago. After leaving the picnic at either 12 p.m. or in the afternoon, he began \u201cjourneying\u201d around the neighborhood with fellow Black Disciples John McKenzie and Marcus Wright. According to Wright\u2019s testimony on cross-examination by defendant\u2019s counsel, the trio had been drinking beer and gin, and defendant had been smoking marijuana. As daylight waned at 8:45 p.m., defendant, McKenzie, and Wright approached a three-way intersection at 73rd Street, Ellis Avenue, and South Chicago Avenue. They encountered Darryl Mims as his red Oldsmobile pulled up to a stop at the intersection. They asked Mims the price of his vehicle and Mims replied, \u201c$3,500.\u201d Defendant was angered at the high price and said, \u201cThat\u2019s a robbery without a gun.\u201d Mims then \u201cdisrespected\u201d defendant, so defendant told Mims, \u201cI am a Black Disciple. My name is Little Tray, and you better show some respect for me.\u201d Mims then called the 5-foot-5-inch, 150-pound defendant a \u201clittle motherfucker,\u201d further angering defendant.\nAssistant State\u2019s Attorney Anne Lorenz testified that in an interview she conducted with defendant, defendant told her that he saw Mims reach his right hand over the front passenger seat toward the glove compartment. Defendant did not see a gun on Mim\u2019s person or in the car. Lorenz testified that defendant orally told her that he \u201cextended his arm into the car,\u201d and that \u201cbefore he pulled the trigger, he said, \u2018ball game\u2019 to the driver, which means \u2018it\u2019s over.\u2019 \u201d Defendant, however, crossed this statement off the written statement that Lorenz prepared. At trial, defendant admitted that he shot Mims. Defendant further testified, however, that Mims reached toward the glove compartment with his right hand, which led defendant to think that Mims was retrieving a weapon. Wright disputed this, testifying that after words were exchanged between Mims and defendant, he heard defendant say \u201chall game\u201d and saw defendant lean toward the inside of the vehicle and fire a shot at Mims. Also according to Wright, Mims was sitting back comfortably in his car seat with his right hand on the steering wheel. Eyewitness Taron Cain testified that he stopped his car at the intersection when he saw two men talking to an occupant of the car which fit the description of Mims\u2019 car. He saw defendant walk or jog up to the car and shoot the occupant. After the shooting, the three men ran aw\u00e1y as Cain exited his car to assist Mims. Mims died approximately two weeks later.\nAfter leaving the scene, defendant threw the gun into the water by Rainbow Beach and later went to the residence of Cassandra Harris, the mother of two of defendant\u2019s children. Harris testified that she, Wright, and defendant were on her porch that night. She testified that defendant stated, \u201c[McKenzie] told him to stick that nigger.\u201d McKenzie then arrived on the porch, and defendant said to McKenzie, \u201cMan, you told me to stick that nigger.\u201d At trial, after first denying that he used those words, defendant admitted that he said them. Defendant also admitted at trial that he never told the group on the porch that he shot Mims because he was in fear for his life.\nDefendant was charged in a two-count indictment with the first degree murder of Daryl Mims. 720 ILCS 5/9 \u2014 1(a)(1), (a)(2) (West 1992). After defendant\u2019s motion to suppress was denied, the case proceeded to a jury trial. The jury rejected defendant\u2019s second degree murder argument premised on defendant\u2019s unreasonable belief in the necessity for self-defense. Instead, the jury found defendant guilty of first degree murder.\nDefendant\u2019s trial counsel filed a motion for a new trial alleging that the evidence was insufficient and that defendant was denied a fair trial. In addition, defendant filed a separate pro se motion for a new trial alleging that during the trial his attorney became physically ill and should have asked for a continuance; and his attorney\u2019s illness may have caused her to inadequately represent him.\nAt the sentencing hearing, the trial court offered defendant\u2019s counsel an opportunity to be heard on her motion, but counsel waived argument. The trial court then offered defendant an opportunity to be heard on his pro se motion. Defendant responded: \u201cI waive argument.\u201d The trial court then denied both motions, stating, inter alia, \u201cAs to defendant\u2019s motion for new trial, based upon the fact his Attorney was physically ill and did not ask for a continuance in this matter, I find there is no merit whatsoever. Counsel did an excellent job in representation of this defendant. This motion will also be denied.\u201d\nThe trial court received evidence in mitigation and aggravation, including testimony from the mother of the victim and letters from four teachers who helped defendant obtain his GED while he was incarcerated. The trial court subsequently sentenced defendant to 55 years\u2019 imprisonment.\nDefendant filed a notice of appeal and the Cook County public defender was appointed to represent him on appeal. Attorneys in the public defender\u2019s office reviewed the record and concluded that there were no issues of merit warranting argument on appeal. Accordingly, the public defender filed a motion for leave to withdraw as appellate counsel and a brief in support of the motion pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493, 87 S. Ct. 1396 (1967). Defendant filed a pro se response to the motion to withdraw, arguing that: (1) his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by neglecting his case because she was \u201cobviously medicated\u201d during trial due to an illness making her \u201coften incoherent\u201d; (2) his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to evidence regarding his gang involvement, which the trial court improperly admitted at trial; (3) his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to interview potential character witnesses to testify at the sentencing hearing; (4) his appellate counsel labored under a conflict of interest because both trial and appellate counsel were employed at the public defender\u2019s office; and (5) his 55-year sentence was excessive because the trial court did not \u201cmeaningfully\u201d consider factors in mitigation when imposing the sentence.\nOn February 3, 2000, the appellate court filed a Rule 23 order granting the public defender\u2019s motion to withdraw. People v. Blair, No. 1\u201498\u20144119 (2000) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). The appellate court rejected defendant\u2019s claim of ineffective assistance related to his posttrial motion that trial counsel neglected his case because she was \u201cobviously medicated\u201d due to an illness, making her \u201coften incoherent.\u201d The court added that his argument was \u201cunsupported by the record or based on matters that are outside the record.\u201d In a footnote, the appellate court noted that defendant had expressly declined to argue his posttrial motion on this basis and that the trial court denied the motion, stating that it was without merit. The court also rejected each of defendant\u2019s additional pro se arguments. The court concluded, \u201cWe have carefully reviewed the record in this case, the aforesaid brief and defendant\u2019s response in compliance with the mandate of the Anders decision and find no issues of arguable merit. Therefore, the motion of the public defender for leave to withdraw as counsel is allowed.\u201d This court denied defendant\u2019s petition for leave to appeal. People v. Blair, 189 Ill. 2d 663 (2000) (order).\nOn January 8, 2001, defendant filed a pro se petition for postconviction relief. 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 1 et seq. (West 2000). In the petition, defendant set forth six arguments. Defendant first argued that his trial counsel improperly advised him to decline argument on his pro se posttrial motion, and that the trial court should have investigated his claim as to his counsel\u2019s illness. Second, defendant alleged that his trial counsel\u2019s illness caused her to be \u201cobviously medicated\u201d and \u201coften incoherent\u201d during her few brief visits to defendant outside the courtroom, and caused her to perform ineffectively during the suppression hearing and at trial. Third, defendant argued that his trial counsel did not present evidence of his alcohol and marijuana use while he was at the picnic prior to the shooting to support his second degree murder argument. Fourth, defendant alleged that his counsel was ineffective for introducing prejudicial gang-related evidence through his direct testimony. Fifth, defendant alleged that his counsel was ineffective for failing to call his teachers from the Cook County jail as character witnesses at his sentencing hearing. Finally, defendant alleged that he was denied effective assistance of appellate counsel because appellate counsel did not want to file a brief against another lawyer. Defendant attached his affidavit, in which he affirmed the petition\u2019s statements were true. However, defendant declared no further facts in his affidavit.\nOn February 22, 2001, the circuit court summarily dismissed defendant\u2019s postconviction petition in a written order. Orally, the court stated that it had considered the petition, the orders of the appellate court, and the trial record. The court found that the issues sought to be raised were res judicata or waived.\nOn appeal, the appellate court held that under the Act (725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 1 et seq. (West 2000)) and People v. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d 89 (2002), a trial court may not summarily dismiss a postconviction petition based upon res judicata or waiver because \u201c \u2018 [l]ike timeliness, the doctrines of waiver and res judicata do not address the question of whether a claim is frivolous or without merit; rather, they constitute procedural bars to a defendant\u2019s right to prevail on a claim, regardless of its substantive merit.\u2019 \u201d 338 Ill. App. 3d at 431-32, quoting People v. McGhee, 337 Ill. App. 3d 992, 995 (2003). The appellate court remanded the matter to the trial court for further proceedings. 338 Ill. App. 3d at 432. We granted the State\u2019s petition for leave to appeal. See 177 Ill. 2d R. 315(a).\nANALYSIS\nThe State argues on appeal that a trial court may summarily dismiss a petition based on res judicata and waiver because they are substantive limitations on the availability of postconviction relief under the plain meaning of the Act. According to the State, unlike timeliness, res judicata and waiver are inherent elements of the right to bring a postconviction petition because these doctrines go directly to the authority of a court to grant a petitioner any relief under the Act. The State urges that this interpretation is in accord with the history of the Act, and consistent with our decision in Boclair, in that, where a defendant is precluded from obtaining relief due to res judicata and waiver, a claim is necessarily \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit.\u201d\nDefendant responds that the plain language of the Act requires only that the petition state the gist of a constitutional claim. He maintains that because the Act makes no specific reference to res judicata or waiver, a court may not summarily dismiss on either basis. Defendant also argues that the State\u2019s interpretation is inconsistent with Boclair. According to defendant, under Boclair, neither res judicata nor waiver are \u201csubstantive\u201d determinations within the purview of the Act, but rather procedural bars in the nature of an affirmative defense to which exceptions apply. Furthermore, the legal doctrines of res judicata and waiver are the sorts of legal issues that are beyond the ability of a pro se defendant to adequately address, thereby necessitating the assistance of court-appointed counsel. Defendant finally argues that the State\u2019s interpretation is contrary to the legislative history of the Act.\nIn 1983, the General Assembly amended the Act to include section 122 \u2014 2.1, which directed the trial court to conduct a threshold evaluation of postconviction petitions and to dismiss those which were \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit.\u201d People v. Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d 364, 369 (2001), citing Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 122\u20142.1(a). As applied to noncapital defendants, the Act then as now provides: \u201cIf the court determines the petition is frivolous or is patently without merit, it shall dismiss the petition in a written order, specifying the findings of fact and conclusions of law it made in reaching its decision.\u201d Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 122\u2014 2.1(a); 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) (West 2002). \u201cThus, the biggest change wrought to the Act by virtue of the 1983 amendment was that counsel was appointed to an indigent petitioner only after the court initially reviewed the petition and only if the court did not dismiss the petition on the ground of frivolity.\u201d (Emphasis omitted.) Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 369. We have noted that \u201csection 122 \u2014 2.1 provides for a simplified procedure in order to ensure that the criminal justice system\u2019s limited resources are expended where most needed.\u201d Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 372.\nThe court in People v. Rivera quoted legislative history, noting that the judge is to look at the petition during the summary dismissal stage to determine \u201c \u2018whether or not the petition has any merit.\u2019 \u201d (Emphasis in original.) Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 372, quoting 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., Senate Proceedings, May 19, 1983, at 172 (statements of Senator Sangmeister). \u201c \u2018If it is filed frivolously and obviously without merit, then those further steps are necessary to be taken in terms of appointment of counsel and so forth, aren\u2019t necessary.\u2019 \u201d (Emphasis in original.) Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 373, quoting 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, June 21, 1983, at 87 (statements of Representative Johnson). During these same debates quoted by the Rivera court, Representative Johnson stated of these petitions,\n\u201cin [almost] every instance, matters that were raised at the trial level and given the normal doctrines of waver [sic] and ratio cogna [sic] and so forth, those issues have already been raised. They can\u2019t be raised again. They have had an opportunity with an attorney, with all the rights of a defendant to have gone through the process and have been convicted.\u201d 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, June 21, 1983, at 96 (statements of Representative Johnson).\nSimilarly, Senator Sangmeister stated the law addressed petitions which were \u201cobviously without merit, frivolous, not filed in good faith or repetitive of issues already litigated and disposed of or simply malicious.\u201d 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., Senate Proceedings, May 19, 1983, at 171 (statements of Senator Sangmeister). We also stated in Rivera, \u201cIn our view, the summary dismissal stage of the post-conviction proceeding does nothing more than allow the circuit court to act strictly in an administrative capacity by screening out those petitions which are without legal substance or are obviously without merit.\u201d Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 373. The General Assembly, however, has never further defined its intent pertaining to the adjectival phrase \u201cfrivolous or is patently without merit.\u201d\nWe recently drew contours of this intent in People v. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d 89 (2002), where we found that \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit\u201d did not include a lack of timeliness for purposes of summary dismissal under section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) (725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) (West 2002)). We noted, \u201c[b]y addressing timeliness and frivolousness in separate provisions of the Act, the legislature plainly intended to draw a distinction between these two flaws of post-conviction petitions.\u201d Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 101. We then found that the phrase \u201cfrivolous or *** patently without merit,\u201d as traditionally defined, does not include issues of timeliness. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 101 (citing Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 913 (1993), Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 677 (7th ed. 1999), and Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493, 498, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 1400 (1967)).\nOther considerations militated against first-stage dismissals based on timeliness. First, we noted that time is not an inherent element of the right to bring a post-conviction petition because a time limit should be considered an affirmative defense which can be raised, waived, or forfeited by the State. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 101. Second, timeliness inquiries would require that the court engage in fact-finding to determine whether the petitioner had credibly alleged facts showing a lack of \u201cculpable negligence\u201d which would excuse the late filing. At the summary review stage, however, courts measure a petition\u2019s substantive virtue rather than its procedural compliance. Thus, in determining an issue of credibility as it pertains to a procedural issue, the circuit court necessarily \u201cexceeds the boundary\u201d set by section 122\u2014 2.1(a)(2). Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 102. Finally, summary dismissal based on timeliness might result in the loss of a meritorious claim of actual innocence because the State does not have the opportunity to review the claim. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 102. We therefore concluded that matters of timeliness must \u201cbe left for the State to assert during the second stage of the post-conviction proceedings.\u201d Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 102.\nOur appellate court is divided on whether the phrase \u201cfrivolous or is patently without merit\u201d in section 122\u2014 2.1(a)(2) permits the summary dismissal of petitions based on res judicata and waiver. One view holds that the Act permits summary dismissals based on both res judicata and waiver. A second view holds that res judicata may be the basis of a summary dismissal, but not waiver or procedural default. The third view, including the court below, holds that neither res judicata nor waiver may properly constitute the basis of a summary dismissal.\nAccording to the first view, followed by the first and fourth divisions of the First District of the appellate court, both res judicata and waiver fall under the general rubric \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit\u201d in section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2). People v. Smith, 341 Ill. App. 3d 530 (2003); People v. Jefferson, 345 Ill. App. 3d 60 (2003); People v. Smith, 345 Ill. App. 3d 868 (2004); People v. Johnson, 352 Ill. App. 3d 442 (2004). These courts reason that the legislature intended that the substantive scope and purpose of the Act preclude the retrial of issues that either were previously decided or could have been raised and decided at an earlier time. See, e.g., Smith, 341 Ill. App. 3d at 537. Thus, waiver and res judicata are substantive considerations to the extent that they define and limit the scope and purpose of the Act. See, e.g., Smith, 341 Ill. App. 3d at 537. These courts distinguish the issue of timeliness, because it is a consideration wholly collateral to the legislature\u2019s intention as to the Act\u2019s substantive scope and purpose. This intention is demonstrated by the legislature\u2019s treating timeliness in a separate provision than section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2). See, e.g., Smith, 341 Ill. App. 3d at 537. Furthermore, waiver and res judicata, while generally deemed to be affirmative defenses like timeliness, can be characterized for purposes of the Act as being integral to the substantive merits of the petition. Smith, 341 Ill. App. 3d at 536-37. These courts affirmed dismissals of postconviction petitions where issues raised in the petitions were based upon facts that were ascertainable from the petition and the record and were raised, or could have been raised, on direct appeal. See Johnson, 352 Ill. App. 3d at 448; Smith, 345 Ill. App. 3d at 871.\nThe second approach is held by the sixth division of the First District and the Fourth District of the appellate court. These courts hold that a trial court may summarily dismiss a petition as res judicata if the court does not engage in fact-finding or consider matters outside the record. People v. Etherly, 344 Ill. App. 3d 599 (2003); People v. Campbell, 345 Ill. App. 3d 810 (2004); People v. Sutherland, 345 Ill. App. 3d 937 (2004); see also People v. Newbolds, 352 Ill. App. 3d 678, 683 (2004) (Fifth District case discussing this approach, but resolving the case on another basis). This accords with the circuit court\u2019s ability to consider the trial and appellate records during the first stage under section 122 \u2014 2.1(c) of the Act. See, e.g., Etherly, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 613, citing 725 ILCS 5/122\u2014 2.1(c) (West 2002). However, a court may not summarily dismiss a petition based on waiver and procedural default. These petitions may otherwise be fully meritorious, and matters of procedural compliance may not be considered at the initial stage of postconviction review. Etherly, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 615, quoting Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 124 (McMorrow, J., specially concurring). When the court is acting in this manner, it abandons its \u201cadministrative\u201d duty to consider only substantive legal merit in the first stage and takes on an adversarial role to adjudicate procedural compliance. See, e.g., Etherly, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 617. Furthermore, under the second view, no mechanism exists at the first stage for a defendant to properly respond to res judicata and waiver. See, e.g., Etherly, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 616-17.\nUnder the third view, espoused by the third division of the First District, the Second District, and the Fifth District of the appellate court, both res judicata and waiver are not properly within the terms \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit\u201d to serve as bases for summary dismissal. 338 Ill. App. 3d 429; People v. McCain, 312 Ill. App. 3d 529 (2000); McGhee, 337 Ill. App. 3d 992; People v. Murray, 351 Ill. App. 3d 219 (2004). Principally, these courts reason that res judicata and waiver do not address the substantive merits of the petition. See, e.g., 338 Ill. App. 3d at 431-32. Thus, \u201c \u2018[l]ike timeliness, the doctrines of waiver and res judicata do not address the question of whether a claim is frivolous or without merit; rather, they constitute procedural bars to a defendant\u2019s right to prevail on a claim, regardless of its substantive merit.\u2019 \u201d 338 Ill. App. 3d at 431-32, quoting McGhee, 337 Ill. App. 3d at 995. Similar to the intermediate view, the third view is wary of a trial court\u2019s assumption of an adversarial role. McCain, 312 Ill. App. 3d at 531. Accordingly, \u201c[l]ike timeliness, waiver is in the nature of an affirmative defense that the State may either raise, waive, or forfeit.\u201d People v. Stivers, 338 Ill. App. 3d 262, 264 (2003). As such, res judicata and waiver are not absolute bars, and if summary dismissal were allowed, defendant would not have a chance to argue that an exception applies. Murray, 351 Ill. App. 3d at 221-22. Therefore, at the summary dismissal stage, \u201cthe court should only determine whether the petition alleges constitutional deprivations, not whether the petitioner will ultimately succeed on those claims.\u201d McCain, 312 Ill. App. 3d at 531.\nWe agree with the State, and with the first and fourth divisions of the First District, and conclude that the legislature intended that trial courts may summarily dismiss postconviction petitions based on both res judicata and waiver. We begin by noting that in construing a statute, our primary objective is to give effect to the intention of the legislature. People v. Greer, 212 Ill. 2d 192, 208 (2004). If this court can ascertain legislative intent from the plain language of the statute itself, that intent must prevail. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 100. To ascertain the legislature\u2019s intent, we may properly consider not only the language of the statute, but also the purpose and the necessity for the law, evils sought to be remedied, and goals to be achieved. People v. Botruff, 212 Ill. 2d 166, 175 (2004). We will not depart from the plain language of the statute by reading into it exceptions, limitations, or conditions that conflict with the express legislative intent. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 100. We consider whether the legislature intended that the phrase \u201cfrivolous or *** patently without merit\u201d includes res judicata or waiver. We review this issue de novo. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 97; People v. Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d 366, 388-89 (1998).\nWe thus compare the definitions of res judicata and waiver to definitions of \u201cfrivolous\u201d and \u201cpatently without merit.\u201d In an initial postconviction proceeding, the common law doctrines of res judicata and waiver operate to bar the raising of claims that were or could have been adjudicated on direct appeal. People v. Pitsonbarger, 205 Ill. 2d 444, 458 (2002). The doctrine of res judicata bars consideration of issues that were previously raised and decided on direct appeal. People v. West, 187 Ill. 2d 418, 425 (1999); accord Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1336-37 (8th ed. 2004) (\u201cres judicata is an issue that has been definitively settled by judicial decision\u201d). As to \u201cwaiver,\u201d we note that courts often use the terms \u201cforfeit,\u201d \u201cwaive,\u201d and \u201cprocedural default\u201d interchangeably in criminal cases. See, e.g., People v. Corrie, 294 Ill. App. 3d 496, 506 (1998); People v. Rogers, 197 Ill. 2d 216, 221 (2001) (claims which could have been raised are deemed \u201cforfeited\u201d); People v. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d 293, 299 (2002) (claims which could have been raised are deemed \u201cwaived\u201d); West, 187 Ill. 2d at 425 (claims which could have been raised are \u201cprocedurally defaulted\u201d). For purposes of this opinion, we henceforth use the term \u201cforfeited\u201d to mean issues that could have been raised, but were not, and are therefore barred. Rogers, 197 Ill. 2d at 221. Forfeiture is defined as: \u201cthe loss of a right, privilege, or property because of a crime, breach of obligation, or neglect of duty.\u201d Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 677 (8th ed. 2004); see also Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 891 (1993) (Forfeit means \u201csomething which is lost or the right to which is alienated by a crime, offense, neglect of duty, or breach of contract\u201d).\nIn Boclair, we examined the definitions of \u201cfrivolous,\u201d \u201cpatently,\u201d and \u201cmerit.\u201d \u201c \u2018Frivolous\u2019 \u201d is defined as \u201c \u2018of little weight or importance: having no basis in law or fact.\u2019 \u201d Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 101, quoting Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 913 (1993); Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 677 (7th ed. 1999); Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493, 498, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 1400 (1967) (legal points \u201carguable on their merits\u201d are not frivolous). \u201c \u00a3[P]atently\u2019 \u201d means \u201c \u2018CLEARLY, OBVIOUSLY, PLAINLY.\u2019 \u201d Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 101, quoting Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 1654 (1993); Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1147 (7th ed. 1999). \u201c \u2018[M]erit\u2019 \u201d means \u201c \u2018legal significance, standing, or importance.\u2019 \u201d Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 101, quoting Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 1414 (1993); Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1003 (7th ed. 1999). Thus, \u201cfrivolous or *** patently without merit\u201d may be defined as having no basis in law or fact and obviously without legal significance.\nWe conclude that the legislature intended that the phrase \u201cfrivolous or *** patently without merit\u201d encompasses res judicata and forfeiture. Determinations of res judicata and forfeiture are inherently legal determinations which may bar relief under the Act. Thus, an otherwise meritorious claim has no basis in law if res judicata or forfeiture bar the claim. The legal component is therefore consistent with \u201cfrivolous\u201d defined as \u201cof little weight or importance: having no basis in law or fact.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 913 (1993); Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 677 (7th ed. 1999); accord Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493, 498, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 1400 (1967) (legal points \u201carguable on their merits\u201d are not frivolous). It is also consistent with a clear, obvious, or plain lack of \u201cmerit,\u201d meaning without \u201clegal significance, standing, or importance.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 1414 (1993); Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1003 (7th ed. 1999). Thus, where res judicata and forfeiture preclude a defendant from obtaining relief, such a claim is necessarily \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit.\u201d\nThe legislature has granted the courts the ability to make these determinations in sections 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) and 122 \u2014 2.1(c). 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2), (c) (West 2002). The statute states that the circuit court \u201cshall dismiss the petition in a written order, specifying the findings of fact and conclusions of law it made in reaching its decision.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) (West 2002). Again, res judicata and forfeiture are conclusions of law. The language of section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) does not limit or qualify the type of conclusion of law and therefore does not disable a judge from considering res judicata and forfeiture. More importantly, when evaluating a petition, a trial court \u201cmay examine the court file of the proceeding in which the petitioner was convicted, any action taken by an appellate court in such proceeding and any transcripts of such proceeding.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(c) (West 2002). This provision does not limit a court\u2019s review of the record and appellate court ruling to determine if only the petition\u2019s factual allegations are rebutted. Rather, on the basis of facts and legal rulings that are ascertainable from the court file, appellate court action, and any transcripts, a court may also determine if legal claims have been decided or could have been raised, thus rebutting the claims contained in the petition.\nAccordingly, defendant\u2019s argument that a trial judge may only consider the \u201cgist\u201d of a claim in the petition falsely construes the legislature\u2019s intention as to the judge\u2019s role at the first stage. Our decisions regarding the meaning of the \u201cgist\u201d standard have arisen only outside the context of res judicata and forfeiture. See, e.g., People v. Edwards, 197 Ill. 2d 239 (2001). They do not purport to decide the instant issue. Rather, as we have found, the legislature intended that the court be allowed to make legal determinations based on both res judicata and forfeiture. We therefore decline defendant\u2019s invitation to hold that a judge should only attempt to divine a gist of a claim from a defendant\u2019s petition, but then ignore a record which clearly demonstrates that a prior court had specifically found that a fully litigated claim lacked merit. Similarly, we will not direct a judge to ignore the doctrines of waiver, forfeiture, and procedural default where a review of the facts ascertainable from the record clearly demonstrates that the claim could have been raised in the prior proceeding. To hold otherwise, we would be forcing courts to waste judicial resources by merely delaying the dismissal of a petition which the judge knows could never bear fruit for the petitioner. Rather, the legislature emphatically intended dismissal of these frivolous claims when it provided that a court \u201cmay examine the court file of the proceeding in which the petitioner was convicted, any action taken by an appellate court in such proceeding and any transcripts of such proceeding.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(c) (West 2002).\nOur holding is consistent with the general purpose of the postconviction proceeding. The Act provides a procedural mechanism through which a convicted criminal can assert \u201cthat in the proceedings which resulted in his or her conviction there was a substantial denial of his or her rights under the Constitution of the United States or of the State of Illinois or both.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 1(a) (West 2002); Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d at 378-79. \u201cThe purpose of the post-conviction proceeding is to permit inquiry into constitutional issues involved in the original conviction that have not already been adjudicated or could have been.\u201d People v. Silagy, 116 Ill. 2d 357, 365 (1987). Hence, in a postconviction proceeding, the trial court does not redetermine a defendant\u2019s innocence or guilt, but instead examines constitutional issues which escaped earlier review. Rogers, 197 Ill. 2d at 221. As such, a petition for postconviction relief is not an appeal of the underlying judgment; rather, it is a collateral proceeding. Rogers, 197 Ill. 2d at 221; West, 187 Ill. 2d at 425. These principles support first stage dismissal based upon collateral rules of law such as res judicata and forfeiture. By its very nature, the Act provides a collateral remedy, and it makes little sense for a judge to disregard the very rules governing collateral attack when he or she \u201cmay examine the court file of the proceeding in which the petitioner was convicted, any action taken by an appellate court in such proceeding and any transcripts of such proceeding.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122\u2014 2.1(c) (West 2002).\nFurthermore, allowing a petition to be summarily dismissed in this manner is consistent with the legislature\u2019s purpose in passing section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) in 1983. In Rivera we stated, \u201csection 122 \u2014 2.1 provides for a simplified procedure in order to ensure that the criminal justice system\u2019s limited resources are expended where most needed.\u201d Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 372. We looked to the legislative history, and noted that the judge is to examine the petition to determine \u201c \u2018whether or not the petition has any merit.\u2019 \u201d (Emphasis in original.) Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 372, quoting 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., Senate Proceedings, May 19, 1983, at 172 (statements of Senator Sangmeister). \u201c \u2018If it is filed frivolously and obviously without merit, then those further steps *** in terms of appointment of counsel and so forth, aren\u2019t necessary.\u2019 \u201d (Emphasis in original.) Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 373, quoting 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, June 21, 1983, at 87 (statements of Representative Johnson). Our holding also accords with statements made in these same debates that the law dealt with petitions raised \u201cin [almost] every instance, matters that were raised at the trial level and given the normal doctrines of waver [sic] and ratio cogna [sic] and so forth, those issues have already been raised. They can\u2019t be raised again.\u201d 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, June 21, 1983, at 96 (statements of Representative Johnson). Similarly, the law governed petitions which were \u201cobviously without merit, frivolous, not filed in good faith or repetitive of issues already litigated and disposed of or simply malicious.\u201d 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., Senate Proceedings, May 19, 1983, at 171 (statements of sponsor Senator Sangmeister).\nWe also noted in Rivera, \u201c[i]n our view, the summary dismissal stage of the post-conviction proceeding does nothing more than allow the circuit court to act strictly in an administrative capacity by screening out those petitions which are without legal substance or are obviously without merit.\u201d Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d at 373. Defendant argues that a court acting in an \u201cadministrative capacity\u201d may not consider issues which may be affirmative defenses raised by the State. Defendant misconstrues Rivera. By \u201cadministrative capacity\u201d we meant to reflect the judge\u2019s role in \u201cscreening out petitions which are without legal substance or obviously without merit\u201d without input from the parties in accordance with the simplified purpose of the Act. In other words, we did not mean by \u201cadministrative\u201d that the legislature intended to pluck the gavel from the judge\u2019s hand and replace it with the clerk\u2019s stamp.\nDefendant\u2019s argument that this claim should proceed to the second stage for the benefit of an attorney to refine the claim is also without justification. The constitutional right to counsel does not apply to postconviction proceedings, and the Act only grants that right during the second stage. Greer, 212 Ill. 2d at 203, citing People v. McNeal, 194 Ill. 2d 135, 142 (2000). As we stated in Greer, \u201cthe legislature has seen fit to confer upon the circuit court the power, without the necessity of appointing counsel, to dismiss, outright, petitions at first stage when they are deemed frivolous or patently without merit.\u201d Greer, 212 Ill. 2d at 208-09; see also People v. Jones, 211 Ill. 2d 140, 148 (2004).\nWe disagree with defendant\u2019s related implication that the judge is assuming an adversarial role. A judge is a neutral arbiter and acts as counsel for neither party. We do not presume the judge acts as an advocate; rather, we presume that the trial judge knows and follows the law unless the record demonstrates otherwise. People v. Gaultney, 174 Ill. 2d 410, 420 (1996). Furthermore, just as the judge is not a counsel for defendant when he allows a petition to proceed to the second stage, the judge is not a counsel for the State when he finds that the claim was raised, or could have been raised, in an earlier proceeding.\nOur holding in People v. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d 89 (2002), is consistent with this resolution. Unlike timeliness, first-stage considerations of res judicata and forfeiture raised by an original or amended petition are not mentioned in separate provisions in the Act. Rather, res judicata and forfeiture fall within the plain language of \u201cfrivolous or *** patently without merit\u201d in section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2), which permits summary dismissal. 725 ILCS 5/122\u2014 2.1(a)(2) (West 2000). More importantly, section 122\u2014 2.1(c) allows the court to \u201cexamine the court file of the proceeding in which the petitioner was convicted, any action taken by an appellate court in such proceeding and any transcripts of such proceeding\u201d to determine if issues of res judicata and forfeiture are present. 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(c) (West 2002). Although the Act allows the State to raise these issues as defenses later in the second stage, the Act also allow the judge to consider these issues at the first stage.\nOther considerations in Boclair are inapposite here. Unlike timeliness, res judicata and forfeiture do not have exceptions which would require a factual determination at the summary dismissal stage, such as the culpable negligence exception to timeliness, requiring credibility determinations. Since section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) expressly requires the petition to be \u201cfrivolous or patently without merit,\u201d trial courts will rely upon those grounds for summary dismissal where it is clear from the facts ascertainable in the record that the petitioner\u2019s claims are barred by legal concepts of res judicata or forfeiture. Thus, where the court need look only at the record of the former proceedings, it may properly dismiss the petition.\nNotably, exceptions to the doctrines of res judicata and forfeiture may allow otherwise barred claims to proceed. It has long been held that res judicata and forfeiture do not apply where fundamental fairness so requires; where the alleged forfeiture stems from the incompetence of appellate counsel; or where facts relating to the claim do not appear on the face of the original appellate record. People v. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d 1, 13 (2002); People v. Whitehead, 169 Ill. 2d 355, 371-72 (1996), overruled on other grounds, Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d 366. Further, defendant has an opportunity to respond to the court\u2019s summary dismissal based on res judicata and forfeiture. A defendant may file a motion to reconsider which may claim exceptions to res judicata and forfeiture. A defendant may also challenge a summary dismissal on appeal. Successive petitions may also be filed as permitted by law.\nMoreover, the judge\u2019s power to dismiss petitions which are barred by res judicata and forfeiture at the first stage remains circumscribed by the statute, similar to every other petition a defendant may set forth. For example, courts may find that, after a review of the petition and the record of the former proceedings, it is a close call as to whether a petition which states a gist of a constitutional claim is otherwise barred by res judicata and forfeiture, or whether the petition presents an exception to these doctrines. In these cases, the petition is not \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit.\u201d Therefore, the court may properly allow a petition to proceed to the second stage to allow the appointment of an attorney to potentially amend the defendant\u2019s petition, allow the State to file a motion to dismiss, and to garner the benefit of the adversarial process.\nBecause we find the Act is not ambiguous, we need not consider defendant\u2019s remaining arguments hinging on ambiguity.\nPropriety of the Trial Court\u2019s First-Stage Dismissal\nDefendant alternately requests cross-relief, seeking reversal of the circuit court\u2019s dismissal of the petition based on res judicata or waiver. We note that the trial court did not specify which basis it ruled on as to each claim. Defendant argues only two of six of his claims in his pro se petition on appeal. The first relates to the health of his counsel during his trial. The second concerns his trial counsel\u2019s decision not to introduce evidence about his alcohol and marijuana use prior to the killing during his direct examination. He alleges that the facts relating to the claims do not appear on the face of the original appellate record. He additionally contends that his appellate counsel on direct appeal was ineffective for failing to raise these same claims on direct appeal. Defendant makes no argument on appeal as to the other allegations in his petition. Our review is de novo. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 97.\nFirst, defendant asserts that counsel was \u201cobviously medicated\u201d and \u201coften incoherent\u201d during her few brief visits to defendant in his holding cell outside the courtroom and, consequently, her illness and her personal problems affected her judgment and her preparation for the motion to suppress and trial. Defendant seeks an exception to res judicata, as he argues this is outside the record of his direct appeal. Defendant presented no further related facts in the affidavit attached to the petition. On appeal, defendant argues that this allegation states a claim for ineffective assistance of trial counsel which is not barred by res judicata or forfeiture because it constitutes a new allegation \u201coutside the record.\u201d\nThe record reveals that after trial in the former proceedings, defendant filed a pro se motion for a new trial, alleging that during the trial his attorney became physically ill and did not ask for a continuance, and his attorney\u2019s illness may have caused her to inadequately represent the defendant. The trial judge stated, \u201cAs to defendant\u2019s motion for new trial, based upon the fact his attorney was physically ill and did not ask for a continuance in this matter, I find there is no merit whatsoever. Counsel did an excellent job in representation of this defendant. This motion will also be denied.\u201d We note that the appellate court, in the direct appeal, rejected defendant\u2019s claim that trial counsel \u201cneglected his case because she was \u2018obviously medicated\u2019 due to an illness, making her often incoherent.\u201d The appellate court stated that \u201ca review of defendant\u2019s contentions established that they are either unsupported by the record or based on matters that are outside the record.\u201d In a footnote, the appellate court provided that defendant had expressly declined to argue his posttrial motion on this point and the trial court denied the motion, stating that it was without merit. People v. Blair, No. 1\u201498\u20144119 (2000) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23).\nDefendant has presented nothing outside the record in his instant petition and affidavit. Rather, he merely reasserts that counsel was \u201cobviously medicated\u201d and \u201coften incoherent.\u201d Even assuming these allegations of illness are not conclusions (West, 187 Ill. 2d at 425-26 (broad, unsupported, conclusory allegations in a postconviction petition are not allowed)), the petition says nothing as to how, even taking the illness as true, the illness affected counsel\u2019s performance. More importantly, this conclusory claim does not rebut the trial judge\u2019s observation that counsel\u2019s in-court performance during the proceedings before him was \u201cexcellent.\u201d Therefore, the petition contains nothing but the bare assertion that counsel neglected his case, which was also rejected by the appellate court on direct appeal. Hence, there is nothing on this issue which has not previously been addressed by the trial court and appellate court on direct appeal. The trial court correctly decided that this issue was barred by res judicata.\nDefendant\u2019s next argument pertains to the following allegation, that defendant\n\u201cinformed his ED. that while he was at the picnic prior to the incident, he had indeed been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, which would of course describe his state of mind and lend to the explanation of how he could have easily (however unreasonable) believed he needed to protect himself if that belief was unreasonable at all. The ED. should not have withheld this information from the jury, especially considering the fact that the only evidence offered at trial by the P.D. was the testimony of the petitioner stating his belief of being threatened.\u201d\nDefendant contends the allegation is \u201coutside the record\u201d and not barred by forfeiture.\nWe first note that the petition\u2019s allegations are factually rebutted by the record. First, the trial transcript reveals that defendant\u2019s friend who was present at the shooting, Marcus Wright, testified on cross-examination that he had been drinking beer and gin with defendant and that Wright thought defendant had been smoking marijuana. The trial transcript reveals, therefore, that defendant\u2019s trial counsel did elicit evidence of defendant\u2019s marijuana and alcohol use at trial. Second, the trial transcript reveals that defendant left the picnic at \u201cmidday\u201d or \u201cin the afternoon,\u201d and the shooting did not occur until 8:45 p.m., thus negating an implied time frame in his petition that the shooting occurred shortly after the picnic. Indeed, although evidence was in the record and presented to the jury that defendant had consumed drugs and alcohol, this evidence did not alter the jury\u2019s verdict.\nMoreover, defendant failed to meet the Act\u2019s affidavit requirement. He has provided no facts whatsoever concerning his alcohol use or marijuana use in his affidavit, other than a general statement that the facts in his petition are true. Nor is there an explanation as to why it is not provided, although such evidence would be within his own recall. A postconviction petition is required to have attached \u201caffidavits, records, or other evidence supporting its allegations or shall state why the same are not attached.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2 (West 2002).\nMore importantly, however, defendant cannot assert an exception to forfeiture. Because the facts regarding defendant\u2019s mere alcohol and marijuana use are already in the record, defendant presents no new allegations in his petition or affidavit that can be deemed \u201coutside the record.\u201d Therefore, defendant\u2019s claim on this matter is forfeited. Furthermore, our research has revealed no authority stating that the mere fact of alcohol and marijuana use is sufficient to support a second degree murder instruction or negate the intent for first degree murder.\nDefendant next argues that the rule of res judicata and forfeiture should be relaxed because of his claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. Defendant argues that appellate counsel on direct appeal was ineffective for failing to argue that the trial court should have conducted an investigation regarding his trial counsel\u2019s alleged illness when he presented his posttrial motion pursuant to People v. Krankel, 102 Ill. 2d 181 (1984) (concerning the appointment of counsel by the trial court to investigate a defendant\u2019s posttrial pro se allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel).\nThis issue was addressed in the defendant\u2019s direct appeal and is therefore barred by res judicata. After the public defender filed a motion for leave to withdraw and a brief in support of the motion pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493, 87 S. Ct. 1396 (1967), defendant filed a pro se response alleging ineffective assistance of appellate counsel based on a failure to raise issues pertaining to ineffective assistance of trial counsel, including the issue of trial counsel\u2019s illness. As stated above, the appellate court rebuffed these claims which were contained in defendant\u2019s pro se posttrial motion relating to trial counsel\u2019s alleged illness, although without specifically citing Krankel. The appellate court stated, \u201c[Bjecause we held that trial counsel was not ineffective based upon defendant\u2019s various allegations, appellate counsel was not ineffective for failing to argue that issue on appeal.\u201d Blair, No. 1\u201498\u20144119 (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23).\nDefendant makes no further argument that res judicata and forfeiture should be relaxed under a third exception, fundamental fairness, nor does our review of the record on appeal and defendant\u2019s petition reveal any such claim. Defendant also makes no argument as to a claim of actual innocence. We also note that the State has not indicated that it wishes to forgo the affirmative defenses of res judicata and forfeiture on appeal.\nFinally, defendant also argues that his mittimus should be corrected to reflect the time he spent in custody from January 17, 1996, to and including January 28, 1996. The State has made no objection. We remand to the circuit court to issue a corrected mittimus.\nCONCLUSION\nThe legislature intended that a judge \u201cmay examine the court file of the proceeding in which the petitioner was convicted, any action taken by an appellate court in such proceeding and any transcripts of such proceeding\u201d (725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(c) (West 2002)) to determine if the petition\u2019s claims have been or could have been adjudicated in the original proceeding. Further, the legislature intended that, based on facts ascertainable from the record, a circuit court may summarily dismiss a petition as \u201cfrivolous or *** patently without merit\u201d based on both res judicata and forfeiture under the Act. 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) (West 2002). We therefore reverse the judgment of the appellate court. Accordingly, we find that the circuit court\u2019s summary dismissal of defendant\u2019s petition was proper, and affirm that judgment. We also remand with directions to the circuit court to correct the mittimus.\nAppellate court judgment reversed; circuit court judgment affirmed; remanded with directions.\nDefendant\u2019s affidavit stated, in pertinent part, as follows:\n\u201cI, Leon Blair, being first duly sworn upon oath deposes and states:\nif: sfc\n4) . That, those matters and subjects stated in the petition, yet not found in the record are in fact, true.\n5) . That, affiant was in fact, coerced by the trial ED. not orally address the court concerning the post-trial motion.\n6) . That, the record does in fact reflect many instances where ED. failed to appear for court, or was late, causing the case to be passed.\n7) . That, the trial ED. presence and presentation was a poor representation, at best, as she was unprepared for motion hearing and trial.\n8) . That, as reflected in the record, as well as in the petition, the court was indeed aware of the ED.\u2019s illness.\n9) . That, the ED. should have requested a continuance to better prepare for trial as well as deal with her own personal problems that distracted her.\n10) . That, had his ED. properly advised the affiant, he could/would have argued his post-trial motion which could have allowed the court to appoint independent counsel to represent affiant in a hearing as the ED. account for her actions of gross neglect.\n11) . That, upon hearing such compelling evidence the court would have to order a new trial.\n12) . That, on appeal the affiant discussed this matter with his appellate ED. whom had a problem with filing ineffective assistance of counsel issues on other attorneys and refused to raise the issue.\u201d\n\u201cWaiver\u201d strictly means the voluntary relinquishment of a known right. Hill v. Cowan, 202 Ill. 2d 151, 158 (2002); accord Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1611 (8th ed. 2004). As explained by the United States Supreme Court in United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 123 L. Ed. 2d 508, 113 S. Ct. 1770 (1993), \u201cWaiver is different from forfeiture. Whereas forfeiture is the failure to make the timely assertion of the right, waiver is the \u2018intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right.\u2019 \u201d Olano, 507 U.S. at 733, 123 L. Ed. 2d at 519, 113 S. Ct. at 1777. Similarly, \u201cprocedural default\u201d relates to a failure by counsel to comply with certain procedural requirements. This failure results in the forfeiture of defendant\u2019s right to raise that error on appeal. Corrie, 294 Ill. App. 3d at 506.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE FITZGERALD" }, { "text": "JUSTICE FREEMAN,\ndissenting:\nI believe the analysis offered by the court in support of its result is fundamentally inconsistent with previous decisions issued by this court in the area of postconviction litigation. I, therefore, must respectfully dissent.\nDefendant maintains in this appeal that the Post-Conviction Hearing Act does not allow for summary dismissal on the basis of res judicata and waiver. The State responds that claims that are subject to res judicata and procedural default constitute claims that are either \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit\u201d and are therefore subject to summary dismissal under the plain language of section 122 \u2014 2.1 of the Act.\nOur Post-Conviction Hearing Act provides a mechanism by which those under criminal sentence in this state can assert that their convictions were the result of a substantial denial of their rights under the United States Constitution or the Illinois Constitution or both. See 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 1 et seq. (West 2000). Proceedings under the Act are commenced by the filing of a petition in the circuit court in which the original proceeding took place. Section 122 \u2014 2.1 of the Act speaks to orders of dismissal. The statute requires that within 90 days after the filing and docketing of each petition, the circuit court must examine the petition and enter one of two orders set forth within the subsections of the statute. Relevant to this appeal is section 122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2), which states:\n\u201cIf the petitioner is sentenced to imprisonment and the court determines the petition is frivolous or is patently without merit, it shall dismiss the petition in a written order, specifying the findings of fact and conclusions of law made in reaching its decision.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 2.1(a)(2) (West 2000).\nAt this juncture in the proceedings, the Act does not allow the State the opportunity to raise any arguments against the petition. The Act, at this point, provides only that \u201c[i]n considering a petition pursuant to [section 122 \u2014 2.1], the court may examine the court file of the proceeding in which the petitioner was convicted, any action taken by an appellate court in such proceeding and any transcripts of such proceeding.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122\u2014 2.1(c) (West 2000). Thus, at this initial stage of the proceedings, the circuit court is acting solely on the filed petition, without any input from the State. This court has held that to survive dismissal at this stage, the petition need only state \u201cthe gist of a constitutional claim.\u201d People v. Gaultney, 174 Ill. 2d 410, 418 (1996). If the petition survives this initial stage, the proceeding advances to the second stage, where the circuit court may then appoint counsel to represent an indigent petitioner (725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 4 (West 2000)), with counsel being given the opportunity to amend the petition (725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 5 (West 2000)). At this second stage, the Act requires that the State either file an answer or move to dismiss the petition. 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 5 (West 2000). If the petition is not dismissed at the second stage, the proceeding advances to the third stage, where an evidentiary hearing can be held. 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 6 (West 2000).\nIn this case, we must determine whether claims that are procedurally defaulted or res judicata constitute claims that are \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit\u201d so as to qualify for summary dismissal under section 122 \u2014 2.1. In construing a statute, courts should consider the statutory language and give effect to the language of the Act as written when that language is clear. People v. Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d 364, 371 (2001). It must be initially pointed out that the term res judicata is not used within the Act. The term waiver appears only in section 122 \u2014 3, which provides that \u201c[a]ny claim of substantial denial of constitutional rights not raised in the original or an amended petition is waived.\u201d 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 3 (West 2000). This is not the type of \u201cwaiver\u201d that is at issue in this case. Moreover, the Act does not define the terms \u201cfrivolous\u201d or \u201cpatently without merit.\u201d In People v. Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d 89 (2002), this court addressed what constitutes a \u201cfrivolous or patently without merit\u201d petition in the context of whether the circuit court could dismiss, at the summary stage, a postconviction petition on timeliness grounds. We held that such a dismissal was not proper under the Act. In so holding, we construed section 122 \u2014 2.1 to require the circuit court, at that stage of the proceedings, to \u201cmeasuret ] a petition\u2019s substantive virtue rather than its procedural compliance.\u201d Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 102. This view was espoused by all members of the court. See Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 124 (McMorrow, J., specially concurring, joined by Freeman, J.) (noting that opinion stands for the proposition that \u201cmatters of \u2018procedural compliance\u2019 [citation] may not be considered in the initial stage of post-conviction review\u201d (emphasis in original)); Boclair, 202 Ill. 2d at 143 (Thomas, J., specially concurring, joined by Fitzgerald, J.) (noting that in determining whether a postconviction petition is frivolous or patently without merit, the trial court may not consider whether the petition suffers from a procedural defect).\nI believe today\u2019s decision is inconsistent with the principles we established in Boclair. Like timeliness, the doctrines of procedural default and res judicata do not address the question of whether a claim is frivolous or patently without merit. Instead, both doctrines serve as procedural devices intended to preclude a court from considering in the first instance the substantive merits of the claim. A claim that is procedurally defaulted is not necessarily without substantive merit. It is because of this very fact, i.e., that such claims may in fact warrant relief, that courts have developed exceptions which serve to excuse the procedural bar. See People v. Simpson, 204 Ill. 2d 536, 552 (2001) (acknowledging in postconviction proceeding that procedural default can be excused upon petitioner\u2019s showing of \u201ccause and prejudice\u201d). It is also why procedural default, in particular, is in the nature of an affirmative defense in that the State must raise it or forfeit it. See People v. O\u2019Neal, 104 Ill. 2d 399, 407 (1984) (noting that principles of procedural default apply to the State as well as to defendants in criminal cases); People v. Holloway, 86 Ill. 2d 78, 91 (1981) (same). The fact that the State can \u201cwaive waiver\u201d reinforces the fact that the doctrine is an affirmative matter that must be raised by the State \u2014 this court has repeatedly stated that the doctrine does not constitute \u201ca jurisdictional or absolute bar to review of procedurally defaulted claims.\u201d Simpson, 204 Ill. 2d at 552.\nDespite the plethora of case law that establishes that the doctrines of res judicata and procedural default serve as procedural bars to review of the substantive merits of a claim, the court today, throughout its analysis, characterizes the doctrines as substantive components in determining whether a claim is frivolous or patently without merit. The court concludes that the legislature intended that the phrase \u201c \u2018frivolous or *** patently without merit\u2019 encompasses res judicata and forfeiture\u201d because \u201c[determinations of res judicata and forfeiture are inherently legal determinations which may bar relief under the Act.\u201d 215 Ill. 2d at 445. The court, however, fails to take into account that the question of whether a claim is barred by the doctrines of res judicata and forfeiture is not always a purely legal one. There are recognized exceptions to both doctrines that may cause a court to excuse the procedural bar and reach the substantive merits of a claim, and the summary stage of the post-conviction proceeding is not always the appropriate venue to engage in the analysis that is sometimes necessary to answer whether those exceptions have been met. For example, as I have noted, this court has recognized that a claim can be heard on its merits even if that claim could have been raised before if defendant shows cognizable cause for his failure to make timely objections, and shows actual prejudice flowing from the error complained of. See, e.g., People v. Hudson, 195 Ill. 2d 117, 123 (2001) (citing cause and prejudice standard used in postconviction litigation). Oftentimes, in order to determine whether that standard is met, a court may have to hold an evidentiary hearing. See Hudson, 195 Ill. 2d at 137, citing United States ex rel. Veal v. DeRdbertis, 693 F.2d 642 (7th Cir. 1982). Likewise, res judicata can be defeated if the ends of justice so require. See People v. Tenner, 206 Ill. 2d 381, 402 (2002) (Freeman, J., specially concurring). Thus, the court is wrong to conclude that the determinations surrounding res judicata and procedural default are strictly questions of law. The determination can often raise mixed questions of law and fact which are inherently unsuitable for summary treatment.\nThe court acknowledges that exceptions to the doctrines exist which may allow an otherwise barred claim to proceed (215 Ill. 2d at 450), but implies that these exceptions are of no moment at the first stage because a petitioner is protected by other means with which to assert these exceptions. The court\u2019s attempts to demonstrate the viability of these other means miss the mark entirely. For example, the court suggests that a petitioner has the ability to respond to a circuit court\u2019s summary dismissal by filing a motion to reconsider. 215 Ill. 2d at 451. My colleagues, however, overlook the fact that filing such a motion would be a largely futile gesture since any legal points sufficient to challenge the initial ruling are beyond the ken of a pro se litigant. The court also states that a petitioner can challenge the summary dismissal on appeal (215 Ill. 2d at 451), an option which would necessitate appointment of counsel, participation of the State, and review by an appellate court, thereby expending even more judicial resources than would have been expended by simply advancing the matter to the second stage. The court also states that successive petitions can be filed as well. 215 Ill. 2d at 451. Successive postconviction petitions, however, are disfavored by law and subject to even greater procedural hoops than an original petition. The court\u2019s attempt to play down the exceptions to the doctrines of res judicata and procedural default are not at all persuasive.\nIn my view, the plain language of the Act reveals that affirmative defenses such as procedural default and res judicata are more properly addressed during second stage proceedings held pursuant to sections 122 \u2014 4 and 122 \u2014 5 of the Act. As noted at the outset of this dissent, these statutes allow for the (i) appointment of counsel, (ii) amendment of pleadings, and (iii) appearance by the State to answer or move to dismiss. The availability of responsive pleadings at the second stage of a postconviction proceeding seemingly would suggest that the legislature intended to establish a statutory scheme for postconviction litigation which commences with an initial administrative screening by the trial court and proceeds forward in a normal, two-party adversarial setting. To hold as the court does today completely eliminates the State\u2019s role in filing motions to dismiss under section 122 \u2014 5 in cases where defendants are not under sentence of death. I know of no rule of statutory construction which would allow for such a result.\nI note that the court also cites the language of section 122 \u2014 2.1, which authorizes the circuit court during the summary dismissal stage to examine the record from the underlying proceedings, as support for its conclusion in this area.\n\u201c[W]hen evaluating a petition, a trial court \u2018may examine the court file of the proceeding in which the petitioner was convicted, any action taken by an appellate court in such proceeding and any transcripts of such proceeding.\u2019 [Citation.] This provision does not limit a court\u2019s review of the record and appellate court ruling to determine if only the petition\u2019s factual allegations are rebutted. Rather, on the basis of facts and legal rulings that are ascertainable from the court file, appellate court action, and any transcripts, a court may also determine if legal claims have been decided or could have been raised, thus rebutting the claims contained in the petition.\u201d 215 Ill. 2d at 446.\nWhile I agree that section 122 \u2014 2.1(c) authorizes the circuit court to examine the underlying record, I do not read that section as authorizing the circuit court at the first stage of the proceeding not only to examine the record in order to determine whether an affirmative defense such as procedural default is available to act as a bar to the claim raised by the defendant, but to resolve the issue in summary fashion. As I have demonstrated, the question of whether a claim is barred by either procedural default or res judicata can be a complex one. Allowing the circuit court to engage in such questions at the summary dismissal stage runs counter to the \u201cadministrative\u201d role that this court has stated our legislature intended for the circuit court at that stage. See People v. Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d 364, 373 (2001) (holding that \u201cthe summary dismissal stage of the post-conviction proceeding does nothing more than allow the circuit court to act strictly in an administrative capacity by screening out those petitions which are without legal substance or are obviously without merit\u201d). In this way, today\u2019s opinion is inconsistent with Rivera. Rather than simplifying the circuit court\u2019s job, today\u2019s holding gives that court even more substantive responsibilities. Today\u2019s holding in no way comports with our holding in Rivera that the circuit court is to act strictly in an administrative capacity at the initial summary stage of postconviction litigation. Rather, it requires the judge to don not only an administrative hat at this stage, but an adversarial one as well. A judge\u2019s function, however, is not to advocate. I find the court\u2019s attempt to play down the dual function its holding requires the circuit court to undertake (215 Ill. 2d at 449) to be utterly unpersuasive. Reviewing a criminal record in the manner contemplated by my colleagues\u2014 without any assistance or input from the parties\u2014 requires that a considerable amount of time be expended to the case by the judge. My colleagues seem to forget that the typical criminal judge\u2019s docket contains multiple postconviction petitions and that, for each petition, the judge will be required to devote a considerable period of time to scouring the record for procedural bars to relief and possible exceptions thereto. The plain language of section 122 \u2014 2.1 does not require that our criminal judges shoulder such a burden, and I see no legitimate reason for this court to hold otherwise.\nAs a final matter, I wish to point out that it strains logic for this court to hold as it did in Boclair, i.e., that the circuit court at the summary stage cannot rule on the timeliness of a petition \u2014 a fact easily ascertainable by a simple glance at a calendar \u2014 but rather the circuit court must allow the matter to be raised only by the State at the second stage of the proceedings; and yet today, hold that the circuit court can rule on potentially complex procedural bars without any input from the parties at all. I submit that both Boclair and Rivera stand for the proposition that at the summary dismissal stage, the circuit court functions administratively and is limited to determining whether the petition states the gist of a constitutional claim. All other concerns, i.e., whether the petition is timely, whether procedural bars exist or should be excused, are deferred to the second stage of the post-conviction proceeding, where the court would have the assistance of briefs and argument from both the petitioner and the State. Today\u2019s holding does nothing more than turn the circuit court into an advocate against the petitioner as well as his or her judge.\nIn light of the above, I respectfully dissent.\nCHIEF JUSTICE McMORROW and JUSTICE KIL-BRIDE join in this dissent.\nI have pointed out, in previous writings while on this court, that what is meant by the term \u201cwaiver\u201d in this context is more precisely a \u201cprocedural default\u201d \u2014 waiver implies a knowing relinquishment of a right whereas procedural default refers to the failure to adequately preserve an issue for later appellate review. See, e.g., People v. Jung, 192 Ill. 2d 1, 11 (2000) (Freeman, J., specially concurring, joined by Miller and McMorrow, JJ.); People v. Terrell, 185 Ill. 2d 467, 522 (1998) (Freeman, C.J., specially concurring, joined by McMorrow, J.)\nI note that the court relies on a statement from Kepresentative Johnson during the legislative debate of the future section 122 \u2014 2.1 where he stated that claims subject to \u201c \u2018waver [sic] and ratio cogno [sic]\u2019 \u201d cannot be raised again and that these kinds of claims, among others, are subject to summary dismissal. 215 Ill. 2d at 438, quoting 83d Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, June 21, 1983, at 96 (statements of Representative Johnson). While I do not dispute that the legislature may have intended that such claims be subject to summary dismissal, the legal doctrines of both res judicata and procedural default are subject to well-known and familiar judicial exceptions that are not suited for litigation at the summary dismissal level. The legislative debate reveals that the legislature did not consider the judicial exceptions to the rule nor did it consider how the exceptions might fit within the summary dismissal structure. Thus, the fact that section 122 \u2014 2.1 does not list examples such as those that Representative Johnson gave on the House floor to define the terms \u201cfrivolous\u201d and \u201cpatently without merit\u201d suggests that the General Assembly sought to leave the matter of deciding what constituted \u201cfrivolous\u201d and \u201cpatently without merit\u201d claims to the judiciary.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE FREEMAN," } ], "attorneys": [ "Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Richard A. Devine, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (Lisa Hoffman and Linda D. Woloshin, Assistant Attorneys General, of Chicago, and Renee G. Goldfarb and Alan J. Spellberg, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People.", "Michael J. Pelletier, Deputy Defender, and Jeffery A. Waldhoff, Assistant Appellate Defender, of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, of Chicago, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "(No. 96198.\nTHE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. LEON BLAIR, Appellee.\nOpinion filed June 3, 2005.\nFREEMAN, J., joined by McMORROW, C.J., and KILBRIDE, J., dissenting.\nLisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Richard A. Devine, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (Lisa Hoffman and Linda D. Woloshin, Assistant Attorneys General, of Chicago, and Renee G. Goldfarb and Alan J. Spellberg, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People.\nMichael J. Pelletier, Deputy Defender, and Jeffery A. Waldhoff, Assistant Appellate Defender, of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, of Chicago, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0427-01", "first_page_order": 449, "last_page_order": 487 }