{ "id": 3617192, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellee, v. JUAN C. HERNANDEZ, Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Hernandez", "decision_date": "2008-09-18", "docket_number": "No. 105368", "first_page": "134", "last_page": "153", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "231 Ill. 2d 134" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill.", "id": 8772, "name": "Illinois Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "159 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 781339 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "29" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/159/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "199 Ill. 2d 541", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 58923 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "545" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/199/0541-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 465", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1578235 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "472" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/206/0465-01" ] }, { "cite": "217 Ill. 2d 289", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3874704 ], "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "301" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/217/0289-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 Ill. 2d 162", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5464500 ], "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "168", "parenthetical": "fact that defendant's attorney previously served as prosecutor against defendant in same case necessitated application of per se rule; inquiry into nature and extent of his involvement as prosecutor was not necessary or desirable" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/66/0162-01" ] }, { "cite": "253 F. Supp. 55", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F. Supp.", "case_ids": [ 1551920 ], "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "57" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f-supp/253/0055-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 Ill. 2d 127", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5812309 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "136" }, { "page": "134", "parenthetical": "finding a Stoval conflict where counsel simultaneously represented both the defendant in her trial for voluntary manslaughter of her husband and the administrator of the husband's estate; the conflict raised the possibility that the estate would be enriched if the defendant was convicted" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/67/0127-01" ] }, { "cite": "535 U.S. 162", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 353765 ], "weight": 18, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "174" }, { "page": "305-06" }, { "page": "1245" }, { "page": "174" }, { "page": "305-06" }, { "page": "1245" }, { "page": "166" }, { "page": "301" }, { "page": "1241" }, { "page": "166" }, { "page": "301" }, { "page": "1241" }, { "page": "175" }, { "page": "306" }, { "page": "1246" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/535/0162-01" ] }, { "cite": "225 Ill. 2d 125", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5704722 ], "weight": 4, "year": 2007, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "145" }, { "page": "146" }, { "page": "146" }, { "page": "146" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/225/0125-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5573752 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "12" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/139/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "131 Ill. 2d 104", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5569956 ], "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "111" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/131/0104-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 Ill. 2d 521", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1224773 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "538" }, { "page": "538-39" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/189/0521-01" ] }, { "cite": "163 Ill. 2d 187", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 477614 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "210-11", "parenthetical": "collecting cases" }, { "page": "217-18" }, { "page": "216", "parenthetical": "fact of actual commitment to another, not degree or extent of that commitment, dictated application of per se rule" }, { "page": "211" }, { "page": "218" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/163/0187-01" ] }, { "cite": "40 Ill. 2d 109", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2856293 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "112" }, { "page": "113" }, { "page": "112" }, { "page": "112-13" }, { "page": "113" }, { "page": "114" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/40/0109-01" ] }, { "cite": "168 Ill. 2d 382", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 307249 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "387" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/168/0382-01" ] }, { "cite": "123 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5551204 ], "weight": 8, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "14" }, { "page": "16" }, { "page": "17" }, { "page": "15" }, { "page": "14" }, { "page": "18" }, { "page": "14" }, { "page": "15" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/123/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "209 Ill. 2d 340", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5461163 ], "weight": 17, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "345" }, { "page": "346" }, { "page": "345" }, { "page": "345" }, { "page": "345" }, { "page": "348-49" }, { "page": "349" }, { "page": "349" }, { "page": "344" }, { "page": "344" }, { "page": "345" }, { "page": "346" }, { "page": "346" }, { "page": "346" }, { "page": "346", "parenthetical": "\" 'facts about a defense attorney's status *** engender, by themselves, a disabling conflict' \" (emphases added and in original)" }, { "page": "345-46" }, { "page": "345" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/209/0340-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1194, "char_count": 32663, "ocr_confidence": 0.782, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.414370499631673e-07, "percentile": 0.6476078335068955 }, "sha256": "384d89cc08cc1ef1fec37ef342e1ae5463cef2a88e9e906297f199f70ab13e31", "simhash": "1:9b38c8217b00d6e8", "word_count": 5301 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:31:51.864872+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appel-lee, v. JUAN C. HERNANDEZ, Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE BURKE\ndelivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.\nChief Justice Fitzgerald and Justices Freeman, Thomas, Kilbride, Garman, and Karmeier concurred in the judgment and opinion.\nOPINION\nIn this case, we must determine whether a criminal defense attorney labors under a per se conflict of interest when he or she also represents the alleged victim of defendant\u2019s offense, but where the attorney has had no contact with the alleged victim for several years. The circuit court of Cook County and the appellate court found that no per se conflict existed. Nos. 1\u201404\u20142776, 1\u201406\u20142052 cons, (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). For the reasons that follow, we reverse the decisions of the courts below, reverse defendant\u2019s conviction, and remand this matter for proceedings consistent with this decision.\nBACKGROUND\nIn 1992, defendant, Juan Hernandez, was arrested on federal and state drug charges. The narcotics in defendant\u2019s possession were confiscated. Defendant served 30 months at Oxford Federal Prison Camp and 3 months at Shawnee Correctional Center. While in custody, defendant met Richard Martinez and Ricardo Diaz. Following their release from prison, the three remained in contact.\nIn August of 1999, defendant was approached by Jaime Cepeda. Cepeda claimed defendant owed his \u201csuperior\u201d $50,000 for the narcotics confiscated in 1992, and that he was sent to collect on the debt. In August, Cepeda went to defendant\u2019s home on at least four occasions and threatened to kill defendant and his family if defendant did not pay the money owed. Cepeda also went to defendant\u2019s workplace and threatened him.\nIn September of 1999, Cepeda kidnapped defendant and held him for three weeks. During that time, defendant was locked in the basement at Cepeda\u2019s house, handcuffed, and repeatedly beaten. On September 28, 1999, Cepeda, armed with a gun, took defendant back to defendant\u2019s home and told defendant\u2019s wife this would be the last time she would see defendant if he did not come up with the money. Cepeda again threatened to kill defendant\u2019s family.\nCepeda and his two associates took defendant back to Cepeda\u2019s house. When they arrived at Cepeda\u2019s home, police officers were waiting outside. The police had responded to a report of a bound and gagged man standing in the street in front of Cepeda\u2019s home. Seeing the police, the four men exited Cepeda\u2019s car and ran toward Cepeda\u2019s home. Cepeda ran toward the back of the home. As he did so, he discarded a bag containing two loaded handguns. The bag was recovered by the police and Ce-peda was arrested for unlawful use of a weapon.\nDuring the same time frame, defendant and Diaz came under investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Illinois State Police for drug trafficking. Martinez had agreed to become a confidential informant and was instructed to contact both defendant and Diaz to purchase cocaine. Martinez initially made contact with Diaz, who told him defendant wanted to deal directly with Martinez. Defendant contacted Martinez on February 10, 2000.\nBecause of defendant\u2019s encounters with Cepeda, defendant told Martinez he wanted Cepeda killed. In furtherance of this plot, defendant met with Martinez and his \u201cpartner,\u201d an undercover special agent with the Illinois State Police, on February 14. At that time, defendant described Cepeda to them, showed them the location of Cepeda\u2019s house, and described Cepeda\u2019s car. Defendant agreed to reduce the price on their future drug purchases by $1,000 if Martinez killed Cepeda. It was arranged that defendant would sell cocaine to Martinez on February 23. Defendant and Martinez spoke several times between February 14 and February 23 about the sale, but due to a disagreement about certain details of the purchase, the February 23 transaction never took place.\nThe investigation of defendant was placed on hold until May 1, 2000, when defendant again contacted Martinez about selling drugs. At that time and in subsequent conversations, defendant renewed the discussion regarding the \u201chit\u201d on Cepeda. Based on the conversations between Martinez and defendant after May 1, the State\u2019s Attorney obtained an order for a confidential overhear.\nOn May 11, defendant was captured on tape hiring Martinez to kill Cepeda in exchange for a reduced price on the purchase of cocaine. Defendant was arrested that same day. On May 31, defendant was indicted and charged with, inter alia, two counts of solicitation of murder for hire.\nIn 2003, defendant retained John DeLeon to represent him on the above charges. Unbeknownst to defendant, DeLeon had previously been retained by Cepeda to represent him in connection with the September 1999 unlawful use of a weapon charge. DeLeon continued to represent Cepeda through January 16, 2001, when a bond forfeiture warrant was issued against Cepeda for his failure to appear in court. Apparently, Cepeda had fled the country prior to January 16, 2001, and has not returned. Although DeLeon has had no contact with Ce-peda since before January 16, 2001, he continues to be the attorney of record for Cepeda.\nIn defendant\u2019s case, Cepeda\u2019s name appeared on the State\u2019s list as a potential witness. DeLeon and Marvin Bloom, DeLeon\u2019s associate who was also involved in defendant\u2019s representation, as well as the assistant State\u2019s Attorney prosecuting defendant\u2019s case, were all aware that DeLeon represented both defendant and Ce-peda. However, neither defendant nor the circuit court was advised of the dual representation.\nFollowing a bench trial, defendant was found guilty of solicitation to commit murder for hire. While defendant\u2019s direct appeal was pending, he filed a postconviction petition, alleging, inter alia, that DeLeon\u2019s dual representation, of which defendant was previously unaware, constituted a per se conflict of interest that denied him effective assistance of counsel. Attached to defendant\u2019s petition was DeLeon\u2019s affidavit, in which De-Leon admitted representing Cepeda. DeLeon averred: \u201cI still considered myself to be his [Cepeda\u2019s] attorney, for if he was arrested on that warrant [bond forfeiture], as my appearance was still on file, I would still be his attorney.\u201d DeLeon further averred that, to his knowledge, neither he nor the prosecutor brought his \u201cprior and active representation of Jaime Cepeda during my representation of Juan Hernandez\u201d to the attention of the court or defendant.\nThe circuit court conducted an evidentiary hearing on defendant\u2019s postconviction petition. Marvin Bloom testified that, at some point during defendant\u2019s case, he learned DeLeon also represented Cepeda. Bloom never told defendant about the dual representation and admitted he never considered whether it created a conflict.\nJohn DeLeon testified that he represented Cepeda in two different cases. When Cepeda failed to appear in court in 2001 and the bond forfeiture warrant was issued, DeLeon attempted to locate Cepeda, but could not. DeLeon stated that Cepeda\u2019s case remained pending on the court\u2019s call via the bond forfeiture. When questioned on direct examination as to whether he still considered himself to be Cepeda\u2019s attorney as of the present time, DeLeon responded, \u201cYes. If he is apprehended, I will be representing him.\u201d DeLeon reiterated that he never told defendant he represented Cepeda, nor was he aware of anyone else doing so.\nOn cross-examination, DeLeon testified he had not spoken to, nor seen, Cepeda since before January 2001. DeLeon confirmed that, at some point during defendant\u2019s trial, he and the assistant State\u2019s Attorney discussed the fact he represented Cepeda. The assistant State\u2019s Attorney then inquired of DeLeon as follows:\n\u201cQ. And the reason you never told him [defendant] \u2014 at least what you told me \u2014 was because you didn\u2019t feel there was a conflict of interest; is that correct?\nA. I didn\u2019t think it was important to the case at the time.\nQ. And you felt that there was really \u2014 you didn\u2019t think that there was a conflict of interest?\nA. Well, I \u2014 I don\u2019t want to make a legal determination on whether or not there was a conflict. All I can tell you is I didn\u2019t think there was a problem.\nQ. No, my question to you, sir, is *** you told me that you did not believe that there was any conflict of interest; isn\u2019t that correct?\nA. That\u2019s correct.\nQ. And that\u2019s why you didn\u2019t tell him; correct?\nA. It just never came up in the conversation. I felt that my representation of Jaime Cepada [sic] was separate and apart; that whatever conversations that I had with Jaime were between me and Jaime. He was a client. I owed a loyalty to him, so I didn\u2019t reveal any conversations.\u201d\nUpon further re-cross-examination, DeLeon stated that, while he was not presently going to court on Cepeda\u2019s behalf, he was still Cepeda\u2019s lawyer and was \u201cactive right now\u201d on his behalf.\nOn additional redirect examination, DeLeon testified further concerning his belief that he was still Cepeda\u2019s attorney:\n\u201cQ. Mr. DeLeon, so it is clear, dining any of that period of time including the time that you were defending Mr. Hernandez, if you got a call that Mr. Cepada [sic] had been arrested on that warrant [bond forfeiture], what did you consider would be your position with respect to Mr. Cepada [sic]?\nA. That I was his lawyer.\nQ. And would you have an obligation *** to go to court for Mr. Cepada [sic] had he been arrested?\nA. I am sure Judge Fox would have made sure I was there. And, of course, I would have been there.\nQ. And at that time if he wished or \u2014 and if you wished, you could withdraw. But up until that point, you were still his lawyer and still responsible for his case.\nA. Yes.\u201d\nFollowing the evidentiary hearing, the circuit court denied defendant\u2019s postconviction petition, finding there was no ongoing relationship between DeLeon and Ce-peda for the last five years, DeLeon had had no substantial contact with Cepeda, and Cepeda had not been called as a witness at defendant\u2019s trial. Based on these facts, the trial court concluded there was no per se conflict. It further found no actual conflict existed and concluded defendant had received \u201ca very good defense.\u201d\nThe appellate court consolidated defendant\u2019s post-conviction appeal with his direct appeal and affirmed, with one justice dissenting. In connection with defendant\u2019s postconviction challenge, the majority noted that, while Cepeda was named as a witness, he was never called to testify against defendant. Moreover, DeLeon had not seen nor spoken to Cepeda in five years. Further, DeLeon\u2019s appearance was still on file only because he could not withdraw in Cepeda\u2019s absence. Based on these facts, the appellate court concluded that DeLeon never assumed the status of attorney for a prosecution witness. Accordingly, there was no per se conflict. The appellate court further found that, because defendant had not pointed to any instance where he received less than diligent representation from DeLeon, there was no actual conflict of interest. Nos. 1\u201404\u20142776, 1\u201406\u20142052 cons, (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). Justice Wolfson dissented, finding that a per se conflict existed. We thereafter granted defendant\u2019s petition for leave to appeal. 210 Ill. 2d R. 315.\nANALYSIS\nConflict of Interest Analysis\nA criminal defendant\u2019s sixth amendment right to effective assistance of counsel includes the right to conflict-free representation. People v. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d 340, 345 (2004). In determining whether a defendant received effective assistance of counsel based on an alleged conflict of interest, we first resolve whether counsel labored under a per se conflict. A per se conflict is one in which \u201c \u2018facts about a defense attorney\u2019s status *** engender, by themselves, a disabling conflict.\u2019 (Emphasis in original.)\u201d Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 346, quoting People v. Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d 1, 14 (1988). When a defendant\u2019s attorney has a tie to a person or entity that would benefit from an unfavorable verdict for the defendant, a per se conflict arises. People v. Janes, 168 Ill. 2d 382, 387 (1995). \u201c \u2018[I]f counsel, unknown to the accused and without his knowledgeable assent, is in a duplicitous position where his full talents \u2014 as a vigorous advocate having the single aim of acquittal by all means fair and honorable \u2014 are hobbled or fettered or restrained by commitments to others\u2019 [citation],\u201d effective assistance of counsel is lacking. People v. Stoval, 40 Ill. 2d 109, 112 (1968).\nWe explained the justification underlying the per se rule in Spreitzer. First, we noted that counsel\u2019s knowledge that a result favorable to his other client or association would inevitably conflict with defendant\u2019s interest \u201cmight \u2018subliminally\u2019 affect counsel\u2019s performance in ways [that are] difficult to detect and demonstrate.\u201d Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d at 16. Also, we noted the possibility that counsel\u2019s conflict would subject him to \u201c \u2018later charges that his representation was not completely faithful.\u2019 [Citations.]\u201d Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d at 17.\nIf a per se conflict exists, defendant is not required to show that counsel\u2019s \u201c \u2018actual performance was in any way affected by the existence of the conflict.\u2019 \u201d Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 345, quoting Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d at 15. In other words, a defendant is not required to show actual prejudice when a per se conflict exists. Stoval, 40 Ill. 2d at 113. Unless a defendant waives his right to conflict-free counsel, a per se conflict is grounds for automatic reversal. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 345.\nWe have identified three situations where a per se conflict exists: (1) when defense counsel has a prior or contemporaneous association with the victim, the prosecution, or an entity assisting the prosecution (Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d at 14; see also People v. Lawson, 163 Ill. 2d 187, 210-11 (1994) (collecting cases)); (2) when defense counsel contemporaneously represents a prosecution witness (see People v. Moore, 189 Ill. 2d 521, 538 (2000); People v. Thomas, 131 Ill. 2d 104, 111 (1989)); and (3) when defense counsel was a former prosecutor who had been personally involved in the prosecution of the defendant (see Lawson, 163 Ill. 2d at 217-18). Where the record shows that the facts are undisputed, the question of whether a per se conflict exists is a legal question we review de novo. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 345.\nIf a per se conflict does not exist, a defendant may still establish a violation of his right to effective assistance of counsel by showing an actual conflict of interest that adversely affected his counsel\u2019s performance. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 348-49. To show an actual conflict of interest, a defendant must point to \u201c \u2018some specific defect in his counsel\u2019s strategy, tactics, or decision making attributable to [a] conflict.\u2019 \u201d Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 349, quoting Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d at 18. In this situation, mere \u201c \u2018[speculative allegations and conclusory statements are not sufficient to establish that an actual conflict of interest affected counsel\u2019s performance.\u2019 \u201d Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 349, quoting People v. Williams, 139 Ill. 2d 1, 12 (1990).\nPer Se Conflict Rule\nAt the outset, the State asks us to abandon the per se conflict analysis and apply only an actual-conflict analysis. The State concedes that its request implicates stare decisis.\nThe doctrine of stare decisis \u201c \u2018 \u201cexpresses the policy of the courts to stand by precedents and not to disturb settled points.\u201d \u2019 [Citations.]\u201d People v. Colon, 225 Ill. 2d 125, 145 (2007). When a question has been deliberately examined and decided, it should be considered settled and closed to further argument. Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 146. However, stare decisis is not an \u201cinexorable command.\u201d Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 146.\n\u201cIf it is clear a court has made a mistake, it will not decline to correct it, even if the mistake has been reasserted and acquiesced in for many years. [Citation.] That said, this court will not depart from precedent merely because it might have decided otherwise if the question were a new one. [Citation.] As we recently reiterated, any departure from stare decisis must be \u2018 \u201cspecially justified.\u201d \u2019 [Citation.] Thus, prior decisions should not be overruled absent \u2018good cause\u2019 or \u2018compelling reasons.\u2019 [Citation.] In general, a settled rule of law that does not contravene a statute or constitutional principle should be followed unless doing so is likely to result in serious detriment prejudicial to public interests. [Citation.] Good cause to depart from stare decisis also exists when governing decisions are unworkable or badly reasoned.\u201d Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 146.\nTo support its argument that we should abandon the per se rule, in favor of an actual-conflict analysis only, the State argues that the per se rule is at odds with United States Supreme Court precedent, in particular Mickens v. Taylor, 535 U.S. 162, 152 L. Ed. 2d 291, 122 S. Ct. 1237 (2001). We disagree.\nIn Mickens, the defendant\u2019s attorney represented the victim at the time the defendant murdered the victim. Counsel did not disclose the dual representation to the defendant or the trial court. The Court held that where the trial court fails to inquire into a potential conflict, of which it knew or should have known, a defendant must establish that the conflict adversely affected his attorney\u2019s performance. Mickens, 535 U.S. at 174, 152 L. Ed. 2d at 305-06, 122 S. Ct. at 1245. The State\u2019s reliance on Mickens is misplaced.\nFirst, the only question before the Mickens Court dealt with the trial court\u2019s failure to inquire into a potential conflict. Mickens, 535 U.S. at 174, 152 L. Ed. 2d at 305-06, 122 S. Ct. at 1245. The question before the Court was not whether a conflict existed, be it an actual conflict or otherwise.\nSecond, the facts surrounding the attorney\u2019s representation of the victim in Mickens are distinguishable. There, counsel did not believe he had any continuing obligation or duty to his former client, the victim of the defendant\u2019s crime. The same is not true here. DeLeon expressly testified at the postconviction hearing that he was still Cepeda\u2019s attorney and was still obligated to act on Cepeda\u2019s behalf should Cepeda be arrested on the bond warrant. DeLeon acknowledged his loyalty to Ce-peda such that he would not reveal any conversations he had had with Cepeda.\nLastly, and most importantly, the State ignores pertinent remarks made by the Court which demonstrate that our per se rule does not conflict with Mickens. The Mickens Court recognized exceptions to the general rule that a defendant must show prejudice, holding that a defendant need not show prejudice when he is denied assistance of counsel entirely or during a critical stage, or in \u201ccircumstances of that magnitude,\u201d because the verdict is so likely unreliable that a case-by-case determination is unnecessary. Mickens, 535 U.S. at 166, 152 L. Ed. 2d at 301, 122 S. Ct. at 1241. As one example of when a \u201ccircumstance[] of that magnitude\u201d may arise, the Court identified the situation where defense counsel actively represents conflicting interests. Mickens, 535 U.S. at 166, 152 L. Ed. 2d at 301, 122 S. Ct. at 1241. According to the Mickens Court, in this context, \u201cBoth Sullivan itself [citation] and Holloway [citation] stressed the high probability of prejudice arising from multiple concurrent representation, and the difficulty of proving that prejudice.\u201d (Emphasis in original.) Mickens, 535 U.S. at 175, 152 L. Ed. 2d at 306, 122 S. Ct. at 1246. Although the exception in Mickens is not directly on point, the rationale is equally applicable to our case. Where, as here, an attorney represents both the defendant and the alleged victim of defendant\u2019s crime, there is a high probability of prejudice to a defendant and an equally high degree of difficulty of proving that prejudice.\nThus, we conclude, contrary to the State\u2019s argument, Mickens does not dictate that this court should abandon our per se conflict rule. Rather than being at odds with Mickens, our per se rule comports with the exception expressed by that Court.\nThe State also argues that the per se conflict rule is unworkable but does not explain why. We can discern no reason why such a rule is unworkable. If counsel represents the defendant and the victim of the defendant\u2019s alleged conduct, then that ends the matter. There is a per se conflict. Application of the per se rule is not unworkable but rather straightforward and simple.\nThe State further argues that dispensing with the per se rule will reduce complexity and result in more uniform application of the law. Again, we disagree. If we abandon the per se conflict rule, a fact-specific analysis would have to be undertaken in each and every case. This is not less complex. Likewise, a case-by-case analysis would create more diversity than uniformity. Thus, contrary to the State\u2019s argument, abandoning the per se rule will not reduce complexity or result in more uniform application of the law.\nLastly, the State argues that the per se rule provides an incentive for defense counsel to conceal possible conflicts, knowing that if they do not disclose a conflict and their client is convicted, a new trial will be granted based on the conflict. We rejected this reasoning in Cos-let, where we observed:\n\u201cOne could even conjecture that a defendant and his lawyer could knowingly and collusively enter into such an arrangement in an effort to obtain a reversal in the event of a conviction.\nThis is a risk that this court is prepared to take, however, in order to assure that every person is assured of the right to effective assistance of counsel at his trial.\u201d People v. Coslet, 67 Ill. 2d 127, 136 (1977).\nWe conclude that the rationale underlying the per se conflict rule, espoused above, remains valid, particularly where, as here, counsel simultaneously represents both the alleged perpetrator and the alleged victim of the crime being prosecuted. The State has not established good cause or compelling reason for this court to depart from stare decisis. Accordingly, we reject the State\u2019s request to abandon the per se conflict of interest rule.\nApplication of the Per Se Conflict Rule\nDefendant contends that the appellate court erred in concluding that DeLeon\u2019s representation of Cepeda, the alleged victim, at the same time he represented defendant did not constitute a per se conflict. Defendant, on the other hand, argues this case is a compelling example of a per se conflict and prejudice must be presumed. .\nThe State contends there was no per se conflict despite DeLeon\u2019s dual representation based on the unique facts of this case: (1) DeLeon was not actively representing Cepeda and had not spoken to him in years; (2) DeLeon was unable to withdraw as Cepeda\u2019s counsel because of Cepeda\u2019s absence, and (3) the State assured DeLeon that Cepeda would not testify. These facts, the State claims, take this case out of the per se conflict category. The State directs our attention to Morales, which the appellate court relied on.\nIn Morales, defense counsel represented Jorge Hernandez, the defendant\u2019s superior in a drug-distribution organization, on federal drug charges at the same time he represented the defendant in his trial for the murder of Hernandez\u2019s courier, solicitation to commit murder for hire, and conspiracy to commit murder. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 344. The State identified Hernandez as a witness against defendant on its witness list. Prior to trial, the prosecutor advised the court, in the defendant\u2019s presence, of the potential conflict of interest. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 344. Ultimately, Hernandez did not testify for the State. Following his conviction, on direct appeal, the defendant argued that counsel\u2019s contemporaneous representation created a conflict of interest that deprived him of effective assistance of counsel. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 345.\nWe agreed that the situation at issue potentially fell within the per se conflict category of cases. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 346. However, we concluded that, because Hernandez was never called as a witness in the defendant\u2019s case, \u201cdefense counsel never assumed the status of attorney for a prosecution witness.\u201d Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 346. We held that the contemporaneous representation did not result in a per se conflict and, therefore, counsel did not render ineffective assistance. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 346.\nMorales does not control the outcome in the case at bar. While it is certainly true Cepeda could have been a witness for the State, the distinctive feature here, which the appellate court failed to recognize, is that Cepeda was also the alleged victim of defendant\u2019s crime. To make matters worse, the facts underlying Cepeda\u2019s arrest and DeLeon\u2019s ultimate representation of him arose in relation to Cepeda\u2019s kidnapping of defendant and returning defendant to Cepeda\u2019s home after he had taken defendant back to his own home to further threaten defendant\u2019s family. In essence, defendant was Cepeda\u2019s \u201cvictim\u201d in connection with the unlawful use of a weapon case. This fact underscores the conflicting situation present when DeLeon represented both defendant and Cepeda.\nBecause Cepeda was the alleged victim of defendant\u2019s offense, this case is more akin to Stoval. In Stoval, the defendant was convicted of burglary and theft of jewelry. On appeal, he argued that he was denied effective assistance of counsel because the law firm representing him had represented and continued to represent the jewelry store he was convicted of burglarizing, and had also represented the jewelry store owner, individually. Stoval, 40 Ill. 2d at 112. Agreeing, we held:\n\u201c \u2018The circumstances here are such that an attorney cannot properly serve two masters. *** [H]is [defendant\u2019s] right to counsel under the Constitution is more than a formality, and to allow him to be represented by an attorney with such conflicting interests as existed here without his knowledgeable consent is little better than allowing him no lawyer at all. *** This situation is too fraught with the dangers of prejudice, prejudice which the cold record might not indicate, that the mere existence of the conflict is sufficient to constitute a violation of [defendant\u2019s] rights whether or not it in fact influences the attorney or the outcome of the case.\u2019 \u201d Stoval, 40 Ill. 2d at 112-13, quoting United States v. Myers, 253 F. Supp. 55, 57 (E.D. Pa. 1966).\nAlthough there was no evidence showing counsel did not conduct a diligent and proper defense, we concluded that public policy disfavors dual representation because of the possible conflict of interest. Stoval, 40 Ill. 2d at 113. We further concluded that the defendant did not effectively waive his right to the conflict even though he had been advised of the dual representation. We reversed the conviction and remanded for further proceedings. Stoval, 40 Ill. 2d at 114. See also Coslet, 67 Ill. 2d at 134 (finding a Stoval conflict where counsel simultaneously represented both the defendant in her trial for voluntary manslaughter of her husband and the administrator of the husband\u2019s estate; the conflict raised the possibility that the estate would be enriched if the defendant was convicted).\nThe State attempts to distinguish Stoval, pointing out that, unlike the situation in Stoval, DeLeon did not have an active relationship with Cepeda. We are unpersuaded by the State\u2019s argument.\nFirst, the very nature of a per se conflict rule precludes inquiry into the specific facts of a case. DeLeon\u2019s status as Cepeda\u2019s attorney itself dictates application of the per se rule. See Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 346 (\u201c \u2018facts about a defense attorney\u2019s status *** engender, by themselves, a disabling conflict\u2019 \u201d (emphases added and in original)), quoting Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d at 14. See also People v. Kester, 66 Ill. 2d 162, 168 (1977) (fact that defendant\u2019s attorney previously served as prosecutor against defendant in same case necessitated application of per se rule; inquiry into nature and extent of his involvement as prosecutor was not necessary or desirable); Lawson, 163 Ill. 2d at 216 (fact of actual commitment to another, not degree or extent of that commitment, dictated application of per se rule). A case-by-case determination of the facts, as the State urges, would extinguish the per se conflict rule entirely.\nMoreover, we have construed broadly the per se conflict rule when counsel represents both the victim of defendant\u2019s offense and the defendant himself. In general, we have not required representation of the victim to be \u201ccontemporaneous\u201d or \u201cactive.\u201d Ordinarily, conflict arises from counsel\u2019s \u201cassociation,\u201d \u201crelationship,\u201d \u201ccommitment,\u201d \u201cprofessional connection,\u201d or \u201csome tie\u201d with the victim, a party, or the prosecution, which is either \u201cprior or current\u201d or \u201cprevious or current.\u201d See People v. Hardin, 217 Ill. 2d 289, 301 (2005); Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 345-46; People v. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465, 472 (2003); People v. Miller, 199 Ill. 2d 541, 545 (2002); People v. Moore, 189 Ill. 2d 521, 538-39 (2000); Lawson, 163 Ill. 2d at 211; People v. Kitchen, 159 Ill. 2d 1, 29 (1994); Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d at 15. We decline to impose an \u201cactive\u201d requirement upon this category of per se conflicts, as the State urges. We have clearly stated in the past that a prior relationship falls within this category. As such, no active representation is necessary and, thus, we need not inquire into the specific facts of the nature and extent of the representation to determine whether the per se rule applies.\nBased on the foregoing, we find that to ensure that a defendant\u2019s right to effective assistance of counsel is given effect, the per se conflict rule applies whenever an attorney represents a defendant and the alleged victim of the defendant\u2019s crime, regardless of whether the attorney\u2019s relationship with the alleged victim is active or not, and without inquiring into the specific facts concerning the nature and extent of counsel\u2019s representation of the victim. Accordingly, because DeLeon represented both defendant and the alleged victim, Cepeda, we hold that the lower courts erred in finding no per se conflict of interest. Since defendant was not advised of the conflict and, therefore, did not waive it, automatic reversal is required. Morales, 209 Ill. 2d at 345.\nAs an aside, we feel compelled to express our concern about the conduct of all the attorneys involved. Three attorneys \u2014 the prosecutor, DeLeon, and Bloom \u2014 failed to advise the court of the dual representation. There is no justification for this failure. DeLeon, according to his testimony at the evidentiary hearing, determined on his own that no conflict of interest existed in his representation of both defendant and Cepeda. No authority is cited by the State, nor does it attempt to explain why defense counsel and the prosecutor, on their own, or in collaboration, believed it permissible for them to determine whether a per se conflict existed. We caution attorneys in the future and remind them of their obligation to bring to the trial court\u2019s attention any facts or circumstances that may create a conflict of interest. Bringing the situation to the trial court\u2019s attention would have provided the court with an opportunity to explain the circumstances and ramifications to defendant. Defendant could have made an informed decision about the situation and the conflict could have been waived had defendant so desired. Defendant was not afforded this opportunity in the case at bar because the attorneys never advised defendant or the trial court of the facts.\nBecause we reverse, we have thoroughly reviewed the evidence and are convinced it was sufficient to support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Under these circumstances, defendant does not face the risk of double jeopardy and may be retried. Lawson, 163 Ill. 2d at 218.\nCONCLUSION\nThe circuit and appellate courts erred in concluding that no per se conflict of interest arose in this case. Counsel represented both Cepeda, the alleged victim of defendant\u2019s offense, and defendant. Accordingly a per se conflict existed. The judgments of the circuit and appellate courts are reversed. Defendant\u2019s conviction is reversed. The cause is remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings consistent with this decision.\nReversed and remanded.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE BURKE" } ], "attorneys": [ "Allan A. Ackerman and Patrick A. Tuite, of Chicago, for appellant.", "Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Richard A. Devine, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (James E. Fitzgerald, Alan J. Spellberg and John E. Nowak, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "(No. 105368.\nTHE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appel-lee, v. JUAN C. HERNANDEZ, Appellant.\nOpinion filed September 18, 2008.\nAllan A. Ackerman and Patrick A. Tuite, of Chicago, for appellant.\nLisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Richard A. Devine, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (James E. Fitzgerald, Alan J. Spellberg and John E. Nowak, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." }, "file_name": "0134-01", "first_page_order": 148, "last_page_order": 167 }