{ "id": 4279295, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARVIN EXSON, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Exson", "decision_date": "2008-09-29", "docket_number": "No. 1\u201406\u20140924", "first_page": "794", "last_page": "805", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "384 Ill. App. 3d 794" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "888 N.E.2d 1", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2008, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "228 Ill. 2d 404", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5706738 ], "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "424-25" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/228/0404-01" ] }, { "cite": "426 N.E.2d 871", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "86 Ill. 2d 78", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5469878 ], "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "91" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/86/0078-01" ] }, { "cite": "876 N.E.2d 65", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2007, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "376 Ill. App. 3d 185", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4272502 ], "year": 2007, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "188-89" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/376/0185-01" ] }, { "cite": "550 N.E.2d 259", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "193 Ill. App. 3d 545", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2499966 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "546" }, { "page": "547" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/193/0545-01" ] }, { "cite": "340 N.E.2d 129", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1975, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "34 Ill. App. 3d 185", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2961755 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1975, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "187" }, { "page": "187-88" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/34/0185-01" ] }, { "cite": "645 N.E.2d 384", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "268 Ill. App. 3d 1008", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 381876 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1013-14" }, { "page": "1014" }, { "page": "1014" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/268/1008-01" ] }, { "cite": "447 N.E.2d 1029", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "113 Ill. App. 3d 818", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3625027 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "825" }, { "page": "825" }, { "page": "825" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/113/0818-01" ] }, { "cite": "802 N.E.2d 1205", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "\"defense counsel may waive a defendant's right of confrontation as long as the defendant does not object and the decision to stipulate is a matter of trial tactics and strategy\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "208 Ill. 2d 203", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2462898 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "217", "parenthetical": "\"defense counsel may waive a defendant's right of confrontation as long as the defendant does not object and the decision to stipulate is a matter of trial tactics and strategy\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/208/0203-01" ] }, { "cite": "761 N.E.2d 1237", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "326 Ill. App. 3d 906", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1281438 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "910" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/326/0906-01" ] }, { "cite": "724 N.E.2d 997", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "\"The speedy trial statute enforces a constitutional right. Therefore, the statute *** must be liberally construed in defendant's favor\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "311 Ill. App. 3d 991", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 415366 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "997", "parenthetical": "\"The speedy trial statute enforces a constitutional right. Therefore, the statute *** must be liberally construed in defendant's favor\"" }, { "page": "1004" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/311/0991-01" ] }, { "cite": "352 N.E.2d 327", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "\"The purpose of the salutory rule requiring a defendant to file a motion for a new trial which specifies the grounds in order to preserve issues for appeal is to allow the trial court to correct possible errors and thereby eliminate unnecessary reviews and reversals\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "40 Ill. App. 3d 275", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2967734 ], "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "278", "parenthetical": "\"The purpose of the salutory rule requiring a defendant to file a motion for a new trial which specifies the grounds in order to preserve issues for appeal is to allow the trial court to correct possible errors and thereby eliminate unnecessary reviews and reversals\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/40/0275-01" ] }, { "cite": "231 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3617109 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "27", "parenthetical": "Thomas, C.J., dissenting, joined by Garman and Karmeier, JJ." }, { "page": "18" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/231/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "557 N.E.2d 869", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "\"The rule of waiver is a limitation on parties and not on courts\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "136 Ill. 2d 441", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3254594 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "446", "parenthetical": "\"The rule of waiver is a limitation on parties and not on courts\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/136/0441-01" ] }, { "cite": "651 N.E.2d 1120", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1995, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "166 Ill. 2d 144", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 198921 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "149" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/166/0144-01" ] }, { "cite": "702 N.E.2d 249", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1998, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "299 Ill. App. 3d 926", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 221443 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "931" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/299/0926-01" ] }, { "cite": "887 N.E.2d 765", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2008, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "382 Ill. App. 3d 301", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4276931 ], "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "305" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/382/0301-01" ] }, { "cite": "601 N.E.2d 305", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "235 Ill. App. 3d 917", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5783546 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "919" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/235/0917-01" ] }, { "cite": "803 N.E.2d 561", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "345 Ill. App. 3d 724", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3739230 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "728" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/345/0724-01" ] }, { "cite": "522 N.E.2d 1124", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "both a trial objection and a written posttrial motion raising the issue are required \"for alleged errors that could have been raised during trial\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "122 Ill. 2d 176", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5550081 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "186", "parenthetical": "both a trial objection and a written posttrial motion raising the issue are required \"for alleged errors that could have been raised during trial\"" }, { "page": "190" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/122/0176-01" ] }, { "cite": "410 N.E.2d 833", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1980, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "81 Ill. 2d 454", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5481794 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "458" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/81/0454-01" ] }, { "cite": "216 N.E.2d 785", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1966, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "34 Ill. 2d 521", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2878954 ], "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "523" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/34/0521-01" ] }, { "cite": "639 N.E.2d 550", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "159 Ill. 2d 419", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 781318 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "426" }, { "page": "426" }, { "page": "426" }, { "page": "426" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/159/0419-01" ] }, { "cite": "660 N.E.2d 832", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1995, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "168 Ill. 2d 420", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 307268 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "440" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/168/0420-01" ] }, { "cite": "167 N.E.2d 12", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "25 Ill. App. 2d 294", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5785871 ], "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-2d/25/0294-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 N.E.2d 404", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1961, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "30 Ill. App. 2d 329", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5789138 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1961, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "334" }, { "page": "334" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-2d/30/0329-01" ] }, { "cite": "121 N.E.2d 810", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1954, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "3 Ill. 2d 437", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2695011 ], "year": 1954, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "442" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/3/0437-01" ] }, { "cite": "817 N.E.2d 511", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "212 Ill. 2d 192", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2444097 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "203" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/212/0192-01" ] }, { "cite": "262 N.E.2d 901", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1970, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "46 Ill. 2d 104", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2899604 ], "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "107" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/46/0104-01" ] }, { "cite": "190 N.E.2d 289", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1963, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "27 Ill. 2d 493", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5360118 ], "year": 1963, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "497" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/27/0493-01" ] }, { "cite": "204 N.E.2d 734", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1965, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "32 Ill. 2d 165", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2839945 ], "year": 1965, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "168" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/32/0165-01" ] }, { "cite": "363 N.E.2d 924", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1977, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "49 Ill. App. 3d 170", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5637219 ], "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "172" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/49/0170-01" ] }, { "cite": "527 N.E.2d 325", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "173 Ill. App. 3d 344", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3479336 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "354" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/173/0344-01" ] }, { "cite": "430 N.E.2d 990", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "88 Ill. 2d 210", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3083682 ], "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "216" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/88/0210-01" ] }, { "cite": "440 N.E.2d 872", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "92 Ill. 2d 101", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3098172 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "106" }, { "page": "106" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/92/0101-01" ] }, { "cite": "724 N.E.2d 997", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "311 Ill. App. 3d 991", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 415366 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "997" }, { "page": "997" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/311/0991-01" ] }, { "cite": "231 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3617109 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "15" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/231/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "522 N.E.2d 1124", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "122 Ill. 2d 176", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5550081 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "190" }, { "page": "190" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/122/0176-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1149, "char_count": 28105, "ocr_confidence": 0.832, "pagerank": { "raw": 9.850093984441344e-08, "percentile": 0.5341197498386971 }, "sha256": "bcd3a204492ef87e00725c60962681eb0cdaea09f76d8066be24819b3e0e2b85", "simhash": "1:bab5f8ce33c23545", "word_count": 4770 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:18:27.294728+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARVIN EXSON, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE WOLFSON\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nThe defendant was found guilty by a jury of two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to concurrent terms of three years in prison. The only issue in this case is whether the defendant\u2019s statutory right to a speedy trial was violated when the trial court granted the State a 30-day extension of the 120-day trial term. We conclude it was. We reverse the trial court\u2019s judgment and remand the cause with directions to enter an order discharging the defendant.\nFACTS\nDefendant was arrested on March 2, 2005, for possession of cocaine and heroin. Defendant was unable to post bond and remained incarcerated until April 13, 2005, when he was placed on an electronic home monitoring program. Defendant filed a motion to quash his arrest and suppress evidence on May 2, 2005, alleging he was arrested without probable cause. On June 9, 2005, defendant made a demand for trial, but the State answered it was not ready to proceed. The matter was continued until August 3, 2005. On that date, the State filed another motion to continue the cause to August 22, 2005. The motion was granted. Defendant again demanded trial.\nOn August 22, 2005, defendant requested leave to withdraw his motion to quash, demanded trial, then asked to reinstate his motion to quash and suppress. The State objected to the reinstatement of the motion because only one day remained before the expiration of the 120-day speedy trial period. The trial court overruled the objection and conducted a hearing in the matter. The court then denied the motion and defendant answered ready for jury trial.\nThe State responded it was not ready to proceed with a jury trial because it had not located the chemist who conducted the forensic testing of the drugs seized from defendant and requested a continuance. The State explained it was under the impression that defendant was going to be tried by the judge, and therefore assumed defendant\u2019s attorney, an assistant Cook County public defender, would stipulate to the results of the forensic testing, as was the custom of that office.\nDefense counsel objected to the continuance, noting she never indicated her client would stipulate to the forensic test results. She acknowledged that the matter was set for a bench trial, and that it was the custom of her office to stipulate to laboratory results in bench trials involving narcotics possession. She said she never indicated this custom would not be followed in this case, although the assistant State\u2019s Attorney never asked. She said defendant had a right to a jury trial, had never waived that right, and was ready to proceed to trial.\nWhen asked to explain its search for the chemist, the State informed the court that after it learned of defendant\u2019s jury trial demand that morning it called the Illinois State Police Crime Laboratory and was told the chemist who performed the analysis was no longer employed there. The State also tried to locate the chemist through her last known address and telephone number, but was unsuccessful. This was the State\u2019s first attempt to contact the chemist.\nAt the conclusion of this hearing, the trial court granted the State\u2019s request for a 30-day continuance, to September 19, 2005. In doing so, the court noted that it is \u201cthe custom of the parties when a bench trial is indicated that stipulations to toxicology evidence is normally anticipated\u201d and that it did not think \u201cit was unreasonable for the State to assume that the lab would be stipulated\u201d in this case. The court further observed that the matter was set for a bench trial that day, and understood \u201chow the State would not under these circumstances begin its efforts to locate the analyst in this case.\u201d The court found the State\u2019s efforts to contact the chemist after it was informed of defendant\u2019s jury demand constituted due diligence.\nOn September 19, 2005, the trial was continued by agreement to November 21, 2005, due to the absence of defense counsel. On November 21, before the jury trial began, defendant filed a motion to dismiss the charges based on a lack of due diligence by the State in locating the chemist, in violation of his statutory right to a speedy trial. The trial court denied the motion. At trial, the former Illinois State Police chemist who analyzed the recovered items testified. She said her analysis determined the evidence seized from the defendant contained cocaine and heroin. The defense contested the chain of custody.\nDECISION\nThe issue is the propriety of the order granting the State a 30-day extension to locate the chemist. Defendant contends the State did not act with due diligence to locate the chemist prior to trial and that it should not have presumed the defense would stipulate to the laboratory results. Defendant contends the trial court improperly continued the matter beyond the statutory speedy trial period. The State does not deny electronic home monitoring is equivalent to incarceration, nor does it deny the statutory speedy trial period would have run absent the trial court\u2019s finding of due diligence and granting of the 30-day extension.\nA defendant has a right to a speedy trial under both the Federal and Illinois Constitutions (U.S. Const., amends. VI, XIV; Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, \u00a78), as well as under Illinois statute (725 ILCS 5/103 \u2014 5 (West 2004)); however, these rights are not precisely equivalent (People v. Staten, 159 Ill. 2d 419, 426, 639 N.E.2d 550 (1994)). In order to prove a statutory violation, defendant need only show that despite his demand for trial he has not been tried within the period set by statute and that he has not caused or contributed to the delays. Staten, 159 Ill. 2d at 426. Proof of the constitutional violation, by contrast, requires consideration of the length of the delay in trial, the reasons for the delay, the defendant\u2019s assertion of the speedy trial right, and prejudice to the defendant caused by such delay. Staten, 159 Ill. 2d at 426. When a statutory speedy trial violation is alleged, \u201c \u2018the statute operates to prevent the constitutional issue from arising except in cases involving prolonged delay, or novel issues.\u2019 \u201d Staten, 159 Ill. 2d at 426, quoting People v. Stuckey, 34 Ill. 2d 521, 523, 216 N.E.2d 785 (1966). In this case, defendant\u2019s speedy trial claim is statutory, not constitutional.\nIn Illinois, every incarcerated defendant must be tried within 120 days from the date he was taken into custody except in circumstances not present here. 725 ILCS 5/103 \u2014 5(a) (West 2004). If he is not, the court must release him from custody and dismiss the charges against him. 725 ILCS 5/103 \u2014 5(d) (West 2004).\nThe period in which defendant must be tried, however, may be extended once by up to 60 days where the State has been unable to obtain evidence despite its due diligence and has provided reasonable grounds for the court to believe that it will do so at a later date. 725 ILCS 5/103 \u2014 5(c) (West 2004). The decision to extend the speedy trial period beyond 120 days lies within the discretion of the trial court, and we will not disturb its determination absent a clear abuse of discretion. People v. Richards, 81 Ill. 2d 454, 458, 410 N.E.2d 833 (1980).\nI. Forfeiture of the Issue\nThe State contends defendant forfeited his right to assert a speedy trial claim because he failed to raise the issue in his posttrial motion. See People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176, 186, 522 N.E.2d 1124 (1988) (both a trial objection and a written posttrial motion raising the issue are required \u201cfor alleged errors that could have been raised during trial\u201d).\nDefendant acknowledges the omission. He contends it was not necessary for him to raise the issue in his posttrial motion given the numerous objections he made to the extension at trial. Defendant also contends his claim fits within the constitutional exception to the waiver doctrine recognized in Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d at 190 (\u201cwhen the defendant fails to comply with the statutory requirement to file a post-trial motion, our review will be limited to constitutional issues which have properly been raised at trial and which can be raised later in a post-conviction hearing petition [citation], sufficiency of the evidence, and plain error\u201d).\nReviewing courts in this state have applied the waiver doctrine in circumstances where, as here, defendant failed to assert his speedy trial claim in a posttrial motion. See, e.g., People v. Peco, 345 Ill. App. 3d 724, 728, 803 N.E.2d 561 (2004); People v. Turley, 235 Ill. App. 3d 917, 919, 601 N.E.2d 305 (1992).\nSeveral appellate court decisions have taken the position that \u201c \u2018[w]aiver is a bar upon the parties and not upon the court.\u2019 \u201d For example, see People v. Villanueva, 382 Ill. App. 3d 301, 305, 887 N.E.2d 765 (2008), quoting People v. Roberts, 299 Ill. App. 3d 926, 931, 702 N.E.2d 249 (1998). Roberts relied on the supreme court\u2019s statement in Wagner v. City of Chicago, 166 Ill. 2d 144, 149, 651 N.E.2d 1120 (1995). Wagner is a civil case, but does not limit its view of waiver to civil cases. See also In re Marriage of Sutton, 136 Ill. 2d 441, 446, 557 N.E.2d 869 (1990) (\u201cThe rule of waiver is a limitation on parties and not on courts\u201d).\nWe also observe that three dissenters in a recent supreme court decision, People v. Heider, 231 Ill. 2d 1, 27 (2008) (Thomas, C.J., dissenting, joined by Garman and Karmeier, JJ.), referred to the \u201cforfeiture is a limitation on the parties\u201d basis for review, used in that case by the appellate court to reach a sentencing issue, as an \u201coft-misused and misunderstood statement.\u201d\nStill, the Heider majority held the purpose of preserving a claim of error was met and there was no forfeiture \u201cwhere the trial court clearly had an opportunity to review the same essential claim that was later raised on appeal.\u201d Heider, 231 Ill. 2d at 18.\nIn this case, defendant vigorously objected to the State\u2019s request for a 30-day continuance in order to locate the chemist and prepare her for trial. Defense counsel also filed a motion to dismiss based on the State\u2019s lack of due diligence in locating the chemist prior to trial; the motion was denied by the trial court. Based on the trial court\u2019s comments in granting the State\u2019s motion for a continuance, we fail to see how raising the issue in a written posttrial motion would have changed the outcome in the trial court. See People v. Van Dyk, 40 Ill. App. 3d 275, 278, 352 N.E.2d 327 (1976) (\u201cThe purpose of the salutory rule requiring a defendant to file a motion for a new trial which specifies the grounds in order to preserve issues for appeal is to allow the trial court to correct possible errors and thereby eliminate unnecessary reviews and reversals\u201d).\nAlthough we recognize defendant\u2019s speedy trial claim is statutorily \u2014 not constitutionally \u2014 based, defendant\u2019s rights under the statute are underpinned by his right to a speedy trial under both the federal and Illinois Constitutions. See People v. Battles, 311 Ill. App. 3d 991, 997, 724 N.E.2d 997 (2000) (\u201cThe speedy trial statute enforces a constitutional right. Therefore, the statute *** must be liberally construed in defendant\u2019s favor\u201d). In light of the above factors, we will consider the merits of defendant\u2019s contention.\nII. Due Diligence\nThe test of due diligence is whether the State began efforts to locate its witness in sufficient time to secure her presence before the speedy trial term expired. People v. Gray, 326 Ill. App. 3d 906, 910, 761 N.E.2d 1237 (2001).\nHere, the State admits it made no attempt to contact the chemist until the 119th day of the 120-day trial term, the day defendant\u2019s trial was scheduled to begin. After it learned of defendant\u2019s jury trial demand that morning, the State called the Illinois State Police Crime Laboratory and was told the chemist who performed the analysis no longer was employed there. The State then tried to locate the chemist through her last known address and telephone number, but was unsuccessful. Because the State failed to make any meaningful attempt to contact the chemist until the 119th day defendant was in custody, its only recourse was to request a 30-day continuance. We fail to see how the State\u2019s actions in attempting to contact the chemist on the 119th of the 120-day period rise to the level of due diligence as that term is used in section 103 \u2014 5(c).\nBlack\u2019s Law Dictionary defines \u201cdiligence\u201d as \u201c[a] continual effort to accomplish something,\u201d or \u201c[c]are, caution; the attention *** required from a person in a given situation.\u201d Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 468 (7th ed. 1999). Whatever \u201cdue diligence\u201d means, it cannot be defined as ignoring or doing nothing about a statutory requirement.\nThe State contends it did not have to show due diligence before the 119th day because it had no reason to believe the chemist\u2019s testimony was necessary until defendant demanded a jury trial, veering from the public defender\u2019s established custom of stipulating to lab reports in a bench trial. Defendant, however, was well within his rights to elect a jury trial. He was under no obligation to waive his right to a jury trial in order to make it easier for the State to try him within the 120-day period.\nThe State knew the chemist\u2019s testimony was critical to the presentation of its case. Rather than locating and preparing the witness for trial during the 120-day period, however, the State chose to take for granted that defendant would ultimately elect a bench trial and stipulate to the chemist\u2019s testimony. Although defendant\u2019s trial counsel admitted the public defender\u2019s office customarily stipulates to forensic reports in bench trials, the defendant has a controlling vote on whether a stipulation would be entered. See People v. Campbell, 208 Ill. 2d 203, 217, 802 N.E.2d 1205 (2003) (\u201cdefense counsel may waive a defendant\u2019s right of confrontation as long as the defendant does not object and the decision to stipulate is a matter of trial tactics and strategy\u201d).\nWe find the State\u2019s failure to ask defendant\u2019s counsel whether the defense intended to stipulate to the lab reports is evidence of a lack of diligence on the part of the State. We agree with the defendant\u2019s claim that the State had no right to rely entirely on a purported stipulation custom in bench trials. The State refers to the defense position as \u201cfoppish idealism.\u201d We suggest the State would be better served by observing that a simple and timely inquiry about willingness to stipulate is a well-established practice and would have obviated the only issue in this case.\nThe cases relied on by the State do not warrant a different conclusion. In People v. Winfield, 113 Ill. App. 3d 818, 447 N.E.2d 1029 (1983), the State became aware 10 days before the expiration of the 120-day period that a material witness could not be located. The State then sent officers to her last known address, contacted several of her acquaintances, left messages for her at various locations where she was expected to return, and searched the area where she usually resided and was recently seen. The trial court granted the State\u2019s motion for a continuance after the witness could not be located within the 120-day period. The defendant contended that given the witness\u2019s criminal background, the State should have been aware she would be difficult to locate and begun its efforts much sooner.\nRejecting the defendant\u2019s contention, the court held the record established that the witness had voluntarily contacted an officer assigned to the case on several occasions over a period of several months, leaving a telephone number she purportedly could be contacted at each time. Winfield, 113 Ill. App. 3d at 825. Given the prior cooperation shown by the witness, the court held the State had no reason to know she would be difficult to locate. Winfield, 113 Ill. App. 3d at 825. The court held the State\u2019s efforts were sufficient to demonstrate due diligence. Winfield, 113 Ill. App. 3d at 825.\nIn People v. Smith, 268 Ill. App. 3d 1008, 645 N.E.2d 384 (1994), the State discovered two of its material witnesses no longer resided at their last known residences 53 days before the expiration of the original 120-day term. The State then took substantial steps to locate them, including checking with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the Illinois Secretary of State, the United States Postal Service, and arrest records. Although the witnesses were not located before the defendant\u2019s scheduled trial date, the court held the State exercised due diligence in locating the witnesses within the 120-day term. Smith, 268 Ill. App. 3d at 1013-14. The court also held nothing in the record indicated the State should have known that searching for the witnesses would have been necessary. Smith, 268 Ill. App. 3d at 1014. Given the witnesses\u2019 earlier cooperation and the fact they both resided in or near Chicago, the court held it was reasonable for the State to delay contacting them until the defendant\u2019s case was clearly in trial posture. Smith, 268 Ill. App. 3d at 1014.\nIn this case, unlike Winfield and Smith, the State had absolutely no contact \u2014 voluntary or otherwise \u2014 with the chemist before its attempt to locate her on the 119th day of the 120-day term. When the State contacted the Illinois State Police Crime Laboratory on August 22, 2005, it learned the chemist had left the laboratory\u2019s employment two months earlier. Defendant\u2019s trial date had been set since June 9, 2005.\nThe State\u2019s last-minute attempt to locate the chemist was a far cry from the 10 days before in Winfield and 53 days before in Smith. The State\u2019s delay in contacting the chemist until the 119th day, the day the trial was set, demonstrates a lack of diligence.\nIn People v. Shannon, 34 Ill. App. 3d 185, 187, 340 N.E.2d 129 (1975), we said:\n\u201c[W]e are impressed by the fact that it does not appear that any effort whatsoever was made to ascertain the availability of the two police eyewitnesses until the afternoon four days prior to trial. *** In our opinion, these belated efforts to locate these essential witnesses were not sufficient to constitute due diligence on the part of the State. This conclusion is particularly supported by the fact that the vacation schedules of these two witnesses were in existence months before defendant was arrested.\u201d\nThe State\u2019s request on the 120th day for a section 103 \u2014 5(c) extension to conduct DNA testing was granted by the trial court in People v. Battles, 311 Ill. App. 3d 991, 724 N.E.2d 997 (2000). The trial court\u2019s decision was held to be an abuse of discretion \u2014 \u201cThe State did not explain its effort [to complete testing] because there was none.\u201d Battles, 311 Ill. App. 3d at 1004.\nIn People v. Durham, 193 Ill. App. 3d 545, 550 N.E.2d 259 (1990), the State moved for and received a continuance beyond the 120-day limit because a police crime report had not been received. Finding \u201c[t]he record in this case is barren of actions or efforts on the part of the State which would support a finding that due diligence was exercised\u201d to obtain the report, the court reversed the defendant\u2019s drug conviction. Durham, 193 Ill. App. 3d at 546. We adopt the court\u2019s view:\n\u201cTo hold that the prosecutor in the instant case exercised due diligence would, in fact, abrogate the requirement of diligence in cases where the speedy trial provision is a factor.\u201d Durham, 193 Ill. App. 3d at 547.\nFinally, we address an issue raised by the State in its petition for rehearing. The State, for the first time, contends August 22, 2005, was not the 119th day of the statutory term because the defendant had filed a motion to quash and suppress evidence on April 13 and the motion was not heard until August 22.\nIn the trial court, as the State concedes, the prosecution agreed it had reached the 119th day of the term on August 22. The trial court was not asked to review that concession. In its briefs filed in this court, the State again conceded that August 22 was the 119th day. During oral argument before this court once again the State agreed that August 22 was the 119th day.\nIllinois Supreme Court Rule 341(h)(7) (210 Ill. 2d R. 341(h)(7)) is clear: \u201cPoints not argued are waived and shall not be raised in the reply brief, in oral argument, or on petition for rehearing.\u201d Rule 341 (i) (210 Ill. 2d R. 341(i)) applies Rule 341(h)(7) to appellee briefs. We take the rule to mean what it says. Board of Managers of Eleventh Street Loftominium Ass\u2019n v. Wabash Loftominium, L.L.C., 376 Ill. App. 3d 185, 188-89, 876 N.E.2d 65 (2007).\nThe principal of waiver applies to the State as well as the defendant in a criminal case. People v. Holloway, 86 Ill. 2d 78, 91, 426 N.E.2d 871 (1981). This is not simply a matter of failure to object. The State took the position at every stage of this case, until its petition for rehearing, that August 22 was the 119th day of the term. The trial court relied on that concession, as did we. We still do. We will not inquire into the new issue raised by the State on a petition for rehearing, other than to note the critical time periods were generated by motions of the State and never were agreed to by the defense. We also observe that an express concession during oral argument concerning the record has been held to eliminate the issue on appeal. Williams v. Manchester, 228 Ill. 2d 404, 424-25, 888 N.E.2d 1 (2008). We deny the State\u2019s petition for rehearing.\nWe conclude the record reflects the trial court\u2019s grant of a 30-day continuance was an abuse of discretion. The only possible remedy for the deprivation of defendant\u2019s statutory right to a speedy trial is discharge. See Shannon, 34 Ill. App. 3d at 187-88.\nCONCLUSION\nWe reverse the trial court\u2019s judgment and remand the cause with directions to enter an order discharging the defendant.\nReversed and remanded with directions.\nGARCIA, J., concurs.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE WOLFSON" }, { "text": "JUSTICE CAHILL,\ndissenting:\nI respectfully disagree with the majority\u2019s position that defendant\u2019s trial objections alone preserved for review his statutorily based speedy trial claim. The majority begins its opinion by framing the issue: \u201cThe only issue in this case is whether the defendant\u2019s statutory right to a speedy trial was violated when the trial court granted the State a 30-day extension of the 120-day trial term.\u201d (Emphasis added.) 384 Ill. App. 3d at 795. The majority then distinguishes between the constitutional and statutory right to a speedy trial and concludes that \u201cdefendant\u2019s speedy trial claim is statutory, not constitutional.\u201d 384 Ill. App. 3d at 798. But then, without explanation, the majority holds that defendant\u2019s speedy trial claim is constitutional for purposes of avoiding the waiver rule announced in People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176, 190, 522 N.E.2d 1124 (1988).\nOur supreme court there held that \u201cwhen the defendant fails to comply with the statutory requirement to file a post-trial motion, [the court\u2019s] review will be limited to constitutional issues which have properly been raised at trial and which can be raised later in a post-conviction hearing petition.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d at 190. The majority maintains that defendant\u2019s claim, although grounded in statute, has constitutional underpinnings and, for this reason, raises a constitutional issue not subject to waiver. 384 Ill. App. 3d at 799. The majority cites People v. Battles, 311 Ill. App. 3d 991, 997, 724 N.E.2d 997 (2000), which in turn cites People v. Reimolds, 92 Ill. 2d 101, 106, 440 N.E.2d 872 (1982). Those cases acknowledge that the speedy trial statute implements a constitutional right and, as such, should be liberally construed in favor of the defendant. Battles, 311 Ill. App. 3d at 997; Reimolds, 92 Ill. 2d at 106. They do not speak to whether an accused waives his right to raise a statutorily based speedy trial claim on direct appeal by failing to first raise the issue in a posttrial motion. But there are cases that do.\n\u201c[I]t was long ago established that the right to discharge granted by the [speedy trial] statute was waived if not asserted by the defendant prior to conviction\u201d (People v. Pearson, 88 Ill. 2d 210, 216, 430 N.E.2d 990 (1981)), or through a posttrial motion (People v. Alcazar, 173 Ill. App. 3d 344, 354, 527 N.E.2d 325 (1988); People v. Richardson, 49 Ill. App. 3d 170, 172, 363 N.E.2d 924 (1977)). Even the constitutional right to a speedy trial is subject to waiver. See People v. Taylor, 32 Ill. 2d 165, 168, 204 N.E.2d 734 (1965); People v. Hamby, 27 Ill. 2d 493, 497, 190 N.E.2d 289 (1963). Also, statutorily based speedy trial claims are not constitutional in scope and, for this reason, are inappropriate for consideration in a postconviction proceeding. People v. French, 46 Ill. 2d 104, 107, 262 N.E.2d 901 (1970); see also People v. Greer, 212 Ill. 2d 192, 203, 817 N.E.2d 511 (2004), citing 725 ILCS 5/122 \u2014 1 (West 2000) (postconviction proceedings are limited to consideration of constitutional issues not presented at trial).\n\u201c[W]here the question concerns whether there has been a waiver of the [speedy trial] statute, [our supreme] court has held the case does not involve the denial of a constitutional right, and the defendant cannot raise the issue in a petition under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act.\u201d People v. Morris, 3 Ill. 2d 437, 442, 121 N.E.2d 810 (1954). I disagree with the majority\u2019s conclusion to the contrary.\nI am also puzzled by the majority decision to include a reference to both the dissent and the majority opinion in People v. Heider, 231 Ill. 2d 1 (2008). 384 Ill. App. 3d at 799. While Heider addressed forfeiture of an issue on appeal, the defendant had filed a written postsentencing motion in compliance with section 5 \u2014 8\u20141(c) of the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 8\u20141(c) (West 2002)). Heider, 231 Ill. 2d at 15. The dispute involved the wording of the postsentencing motion. The case has no relevance here, where no posttrial motion was filed.\nFinally, in response to the State\u2019s petition for rehearing, the majority holds the State to the same waiver rule that it relaxed for defendant. The majority cites Rule 341(h)(7) (210 Ill. 2d R. 341(h)(7)) (points not argued in initial appellate brief are waived). But a petition for rehearing is an appropriate vehicle to bring to the reviewing court\u2019s attention points that were originally overlooked. See 210 Ill. 2d R. 367(b). Both the parties and the court overlooked the fact that defendant filed a motion to suppress that tolled the running of the speedy trial statute. The fact that the parties mistakenly believed the speedy trial statute had run cannot act to negate what actually occurred in the trial court. It is the record, and not the statement of that record propounded in the parties\u2019 briefs, that binds the appellate court. County Board of School Trustees v. Bendt, 30 Ill. App. 2d 329, 334, 174 N.E.2d 404 (1961). The record \u201c \u2018imports absolute verity, and is the sole, conclusive and unimpeachable evidence of proceedings in the lower Court.\u2019 \u201d Bendt, 30 Ill. App. 2d at 334, quoting McGurn v. Brotman, 25 Ill. App. 2d 294, 167 N.E.2d 12 (1960). The majority here failed to take into consideration the impact that defendant\u2019s motion to suppress had on his speedy trial claim despite the clear and unequivocal law in this state that such a motion tolls the running of the speedy trial statute. See People v. McDonald, 168 Ill. 2d 420, 440, 660 N.E.2d 832 (1995). The majority then compounded this error by refusing to consider, under the guise of waiver, the State\u2019s legitimate point on rehearing that defendant\u2019s right to a speedy trial was not, in fact, violated.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE CAHILL," } ], "attorneys": [ "Michael J. Pelletier and Heidi Linn Lambros, both of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Chicago, for appellant.", "Richard A. Devine, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (James E. Fitzgerald, Anthony M. O\u2019Brien, and Richard O. Cherry, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARVIN EXSON, Defendant-Appellant.\nFirst District (1st Division)\nNo. 1\u201406\u20140924\nOpinion filed June 23, 2008. \u2014 Rehearing denied September 15, 2008.\nModified opinion filed September 29, 2008.\nMichael J. Pelletier and Heidi Linn Lambros, both of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Chicago, for appellant.\nRichard A. Devine, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (James E. Fitzgerald, Anthony M. O\u2019Brien, and Richard O. Cherry, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." }, "file_name": "0794-01", "first_page_order": 810, "last_page_order": 821 }