{
  "id": 4299701,
  "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TA'RHON COLEMAN, Defendant-Appellant",
  "name_abbreviation": "People v. Coleman",
  "decision_date": "2010-04-16",
  "docket_number": "No. 4\u201408\u20140682",
  "first_page": "1150",
  "last_page": "1160",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "399 Ill. App. 3d 1150"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.",
    "id": 8837,
    "name": "Illinois Appellate Court"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 29,
    "name_long": "Illinois",
    "name": "Ill."
  },
  "cites_to": [
    {
      "cite": "2007 Ill. Legis. Serv. 6228",
      "category": "laws:leg_session",
      "reporter": "Ill. Legis. Serv.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "871 N.E.2d 1",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "weight": 8,
      "year": 2007,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "4-5"
        },
        {
          "page": "15"
        },
        {
          "page": "13-14"
        },
        {
          "page": "15"
        },
        {
          "page": "14"
        },
        {
          "page": "14"
        },
        {
          "page": "15"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "226 Ill. 2d 63",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        3610746
      ],
      "weight": 8,
      "year": 2007,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "69"
        },
        {
          "page": "88"
        },
        {
          "page": "85-86"
        },
        {
          "page": "88-89"
        },
        {
          "page": "86"
        },
        {
          "page": "86"
        },
        {
          "page": "88"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/226/0063-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "1999 Ill. Legis. Serv. 4026",
      "category": "laws:leg_session",
      "reporter": "Ill. Legis. Serv.",
      "weight": 2,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "677 N.E.2d 830",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1996,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "832-33"
        },
        {
          "page": "833"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "175 Ill. 2d 412",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        295816
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1996,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "418"
        },
        {
          "page": "418"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/175/0412-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "866 N.E.2d 1163",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 2007,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "1167"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "225 Ill. 2d 188",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        5704376
      ],
      "year": 2007,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "195"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/225/0188-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "54 N.E.2d 559",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 1944,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "562"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "386 Ill. 581",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill.",
      "case_ids": [
        2493198
      ],
      "year": 1944,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "590"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill/386/0581-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "265 N.E.2d 659",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 1970,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "661"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "47 Ill. 2d 378",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        2902691
      ],
      "year": 1970,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "381"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/47/0378-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "553 N.E.2d 281",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1990,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "283"
        },
        {
          "page": "283"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "135 Ill. 2d 384",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        3256710
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1990,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "390"
        },
        {
          "page": "390"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/135/0384-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "771 N.E.2d 374",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 2002,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "383"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "199 Ill. 2d 440",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        58947
      ],
      "year": 2002,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "454"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/199/0440-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "839 N.E.2d 492",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 2005,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "497"
        },
        {
          "page": "498"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "216 Ill. 2d 481",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        3828618
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 2005,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "487"
        },
        {
          "page": "487"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/216/0481-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "821 N.E.2d 288",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 2004,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "295"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "213 Ill. 2d 178",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        8448502
      ],
      "year": 2004,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "188"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/213/0178-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "901 N.E.2d 367",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 2008,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "372",
          "parenthetical": "allowing impeachment where the defendant's testimony concerning his prior criminal history was misleading"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "231 Ill. 2d 582",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        3616740
      ],
      "year": 2008,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "591",
          "parenthetical": "allowing impeachment where the defendant's testimony concerning his prior criminal history was misleading"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/231/0582-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "497 N.E.2d 849",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 1986,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "853"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "146 Ill. App. 3d 1004",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d",
      "case_ids": [
        3570257
      ],
      "year": 1986,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "1011"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-app-3d/146/1004-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "512 N.E.2d 748",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 1987,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "761"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "159 Ill. App. 3d 494",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d",
      "case_ids": [
        3611521
      ],
      "year": 1987,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "513"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-app-3d/159/0494-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "484 N.E.2d 1213",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 1985,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "1218"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "137 Ill. App. 3d 723",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d",
      "case_ids": [
        3640733
      ],
      "year": 1985,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "730"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-app-3d/137/0723-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "268 N.E.2d 695",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1971,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "700"
        },
        {
          "page": "699"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "47 Ill. 2d 510",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        2903225
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1971,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "519"
        },
        {
          "page": "517"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/47/0510-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "595 N.E.2d 207",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "weight": 4,
      "year": 1992,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "208"
        },
        {
          "page": "208"
        },
        {
          "page": "208"
        },
        {
          "page": "208-09"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "229 Ill. App. 3d 938",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d",
      "case_ids": [
        5215752
      ],
      "weight": 4,
      "year": 1992,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "940"
        },
        {
          "page": "941"
        },
        {
          "page": "940"
        },
        {
          "page": "940-41"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-app-3d/229/0938-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "794 N.E.2d 314",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "weight": 3,
      "year": 2002,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "325"
        },
        {
          "page": "325"
        },
        {
          "page": "325"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 1",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. 2d",
      "case_ids": [
        1578284
      ],
      "weight": 3,
      "year": 2002,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "16"
        },
        {
          "page": "16"
        },
        {
          "page": "16"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-2d/206/0001-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "882 N.E.2d 1124",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "N.E.2d",
      "year": 2008,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "1136"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "379 Ill. App. 3d 116",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d",
      "case_ids": [
        4276282
      ],
      "year": 2008,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "129"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ill-app-3d/379/0116-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "466 U.S. 668",
      "category": "reporters:federal",
      "reporter": "U.S.",
      "case_ids": [
        6204802
      ],
      "weight": 6,
      "year": 1984,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "687"
        },
        {
          "page": "693"
        },
        {
          "page": "2064"
        },
        {
          "page": "688"
        },
        {
          "page": "693"
        },
        {
          "page": "2064"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/us/466/0668-01"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "analysis": {
    "cardinality": 1000,
    "char_count": 23267,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.782,
    "pagerank": {
      "raw": 5.4484096992533995e-08,
      "percentile": 0.3425964216446596
    },
    "sha256": "ad4565f04c2eb319ce004590d5064e4c230c0f34851f372c50378daba940a430",
    "simhash": "1:aa3a8c3e6e503ef9",
    "word_count": 3861
  },
  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:57:29.923092+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. TA\u2019RHON COLEMAN, Defendant-Appellant."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "JUSTICE POPE\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nIn April 2007, the State charged defendant, Ta\u2019Rhon Coleman (born June 11, 1990), with one count of armed robbery with a firearm (720 ILCS 5/18 \u2014 2(a)(2) (West 2006)). In an amended information filed in November 2007, the State charged defendant with armed robbery with a firearm (720 ILCS 5/18 \u2014 2(a)(2) (West 2006)), armed robbery with a dangerous weapon (720 ILCS 5/18 \u2014 2(a)(1) (West 2006)), and armed violence with a category I weapon predicated on the offense of robbery (armed violence) (720 ILCS 5/33A \u2014 2(a) (West 2006)).\nIn April 2008, a jury found defendant guilty of armed robbery with a firearm and armed violence. In September 2008, the trial court sentenced defendant to 15 years\u2019 imprisonment on his conviction for armed violence. Defendant appeals, arguing (1) his trial counsel was ineffective for eliciting testimony from defendant regarding his prior juvenile conviction, and (2) the sentence for armed violence predicated on robbery as compared to the sentence for armed robbery with a firearm violates the proportionate-penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution. We vacate defendant\u2019s sentence and remand.\nI. BACKGROUND\nAt approximately 8 p.m. on March 13, 2006, Pizza Hut deliveryman Kim Willis arrived at 12 South State Street in Danville to deliver two pizzas. Two teenage boys were waiting outside the house when Willis arrived. As Willis approached the house with the pizzas and a soda, one of the boys walked up to him and produced a gun. The boy demanded Willis\u2019s wallet, which contained approximately $50. Willis handed him the wallet, and the boy told him to get back in the car and drive away. The pizza boxes and soda were left scattered on the sidewalk in front of the house.\nWillis returned to his car but tried to keep an eye on the two boys as they ran away from the scene. He stopped watching them after one of the boys turned around and pointed the gun at him. Willis called the Pizza Hut and the police as he drove to a nearby gas station. Less than 10 minutes later, he returned to the house to meet police.\nOfficer Keith Garrett was a City of Danville police officer who interviewed Willis at the scene of the robbery. According to Officer Garrett, Willis described the boy with the gun as approximately 6 feet 2 inches with an athletic build and wearing a puffy coat. The other boy was approximately 6 feet tall and was also wearing a puffy down coat. Willis could not remember if the subject with the gun was wearing glasses.\nApproximately one year after the robbery, the crime lab notified Officer Garrett of a fingerprint match on one of the pizza boxes at the scene of Willis\u2019s robbery. Officer Garrett went to Willis\u2019s residence with a photo array of six pictures, including a picture of defendant. Defendant was not wearing glasses in the picture. Willis did not identify defendant from the photo array. In April 2007, defendant was arrested and charged with armed robbery with a firearm. Additional charges were added later, as stated above.\nAt his April 2008 trial, defendant testified he is 6 feet 3 inches and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He has worn glasses since he was a child, and he is unable to drive without them. On the night of the robbery, defendant borrowed a friend\u2019s car and drove to 12 South State Street, the scene of the robbery, where his old friend Michael Hettinger had previously lived. Defendant had not seen Hettinger since 2005 and did not know whether Hettinger still lived there. Two police officers testified the house had been vacated by the Rettingers between two and six months prior to the robbery and was vacant on the evening in question.\nAccording to defendant, when he arrived at the house, he saw two pizza boxes next to the front steps. He picked them up and approached the dark house. When no one answered the door, he set the boxes down and left. Defendant estimated he was at the house for less than one minute.\nAt defendant\u2019s trial, the following exchange occurred between defendant and defense counsel:\n\u201c[COUNSEL]: Now, Ta\u2019Rhon, you\u2019ve been in trouble before?\n[DEFENDANT]: Yes.\n[COUNSEL]: Do you have a criminal record?\n[DEFENDANT]: Yes.\n[COUNSEL]: One of the cases that you had was a robbery; is that correct?\n[DEFENDANT]: Yes.\n[COUNSEL]: That was back in \u201904, \u201905?\n[DEFENDANT]: Yes.\n[COUNSEL]: And you have served time in the Department of Corrections [(DOC)]?\n[DEFENDANT]: Yes.\n[COUNSEL]: All right. I just want to make sure the jury all understands that.\u201d\nThe State asked the following questions on cross-examination:\n\u201c[THE STATE]: You say you paroled in February of \u201905, right?\n[DEFENDANT]: Yes.\n[THE STATE]: So you had been out for a good 14 months at the time March 13th rolls around?\n[DEFENDANT]: Out of [DOC] I got incarcerated again from November, 2005, to the middle of January, 2006, and I got released.\n[THE STATE]: But you were out before November of 2005 for a good several months?\n[DEFENDANT]: No. I was back incarcerated in 2005 in November. I got out in January.\u201d\nOn redirect, the jury learned defendant was also incarcerated in February 2007. In closing argument, both the State and defense counsel mentioned to the jury that defendant had been in trouble before. The jury found defendant guilty of armed robbery and armed violence, and defendant was sentenced as stated.\nThis appeal followed.\nII. ANALYSIS\nA. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel\nDefendant argues his trial counsel was ineffective for eliciting testimony from defendant regarding his prior juvenile conviction.\nTo show ineffective assistance of counsel under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674, 693, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064 (1984), a defendant must show\n\u201c(1) his counsel\u2019s performance was deficient in that it fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) the deficient performance prejudiced the defendant in that, but for counsel\u2019s deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different.\u201d People v. Irvine, 379 Ill. App. 3d 116, 129, 882 N.E.2d 1124, 1136 (2008).\nOur supreme court provides, under the first prong of the test, the defendant must show trial counsel\u2019s representation \u201c \u2018fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.\u2019 \u201d People v. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d 1, 16, 794 N.E.2d 314, 325 (2002), quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 693, 104 S. Ct. at 2064. The defendant must also satisfy the second prong by demonstrating he was prejudiced by counsel\u2019s deficient performance. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 16, 794 N.E.2d at 325. Prejudice is established where a defendant has shown the outcome of the proceeding would have been different but for counsel\u2019s performance. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 16, 794 N.E.2d at 325.\nHere, defendant argues counsel was ineffective for eliciting testimony from defendant regarding his prior juvenile conviction. Citing People v. Kerns, 229 Ill. App. 3d 938, 940, 595 N.E.2d 207, 208 (1992), defendant argues Federal Rule of Evidence 609(d) (adopted by our supreme court pursuant to People v. Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d 510, 519, 268 N.E.2d 695, 700 (1971)), prohibits the admission of juvenile adjudications for impeachment when the witness is the accused. When Montgomery was decided in 1971, Rule 609(d) provided:\n\u201c \u2018Evidence of juvenile adjudications is generally not admissible under this rule. The judge may, however, allow evidence of a juvenile adjudication of a witness other than the accused if conviction of the offense would be admissible to attack the credibility of an adult and the judge is satisfied that admission in evidence is necessary for a fair determination of the issue of guilt or innocence.\u2019 \u201d Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d at 517, 268 N.E.2d at 699, quoting 51 ER.D. 391.\nIn Kerns, 229 Ill. App. 3d at 941, 595 N.E.2d at 208, this court specifically held the admissibility of a juvenile adjudication is governed by Federad Rule 609(d) as adopted in Montgomery. In Kerns, the trial court admitted the defendant\u2019s juvenile adjudication for burglary during the State\u2019s cross-examination of the defendant. The version of section 5 \u2014 150(1) (c) of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 then in effect (111. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 37, par. 801 \u2014 10(l)(c)) provided as follows:\n\u201c \u2018(1) Evidence and adjudications in proceedings under this Act shall be admissible:\n(c) in proceedings under this Act or in criminal proceedings in which anyone who has been adjudicated delinquent under [sjection 5 \u2014 3 is to be a witness, and then only for purposes of impeachment and pursuant to the rules of evidence for criminal trials!.]\u2019 \u201d Kerns, 229 Ill. App. 3d at 940, 595 N.E.2d at 208.\nThus when Kerns was decided, the statute purported to allow the admission of adjudications of witnesses, and did not specifically include defendants. See People v. Massie, 137 Ill. App. 3d 723, 730, 484 N.E.2d 1213, 1218 (1985); People v. Bunch, 159 Ill. App. 3d 494, 513, 512 N.E.2d 748, 761 (1987). Under the latest version, now found in section 5 \u2014 150(l)(c) of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/5\u2014 150(1)(c) (West 2008)), a witness, including the minor or defendant if he testifies, may be impeached with a juvenile adjudication. Both versions of the statute contained the following condition: \u201cand then only for purposes of impeachment and pursuant to the rules of evidence for criminal trials.\u201d Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 37, par. 801 \u2014 10(l)(c); 705 ILCS 405/5 \u2014 150(l)(c) (West 2008).\nThis court in Kerns disavowed a prior Fourth District case which held a previous version of section 5 \u2014 150(l)(c) supplanted Rule 609(d) (see People v. McClendon, 146 Ill. App. 3d 1004, 1011, 497 N.E.2d 849, 853 (1986)), and specifically found the statute did not supplant Rule 609(d). Kerns, 229 Ill. App. 3d at 940-41, 595 N.E.2d at 208-09. In fact, the statute and the rule, as adopted by our supreme court in Montgomery, can be reconciled when the statutory language \u201cpursuant to the rules of evidence for criminal trials\u201d is considered. In other words, the legislature has said a defendant who chooses to testify may be impeached with a juvenile adjudication but has conditioned the use of such impeachment on the rules of evidence for criminal trials.\nOur supreme court has adopted Rule 609 as a rule of evidence to be used by the trial courts. Rule 609 does not permit impeachment of a defendant with a juvenile adjudication. Thus, as we sit here today, a juvenile adjudication of a defendant who testifies is normally not admissible. But see People v. Harris, 231 Ill. 2d 582, 591, 901 N.E.2d 367, 372 (2008) (allowing impeachment where the defendant\u2019s testimony concerning his prior criminal history was misleading). Thus defendant argues his lawyer, who was retained to represent the defendant, was ineffective for bringing defendant\u2019s prior adjudication to the jury\u2019s attention. However, a review of the entire trial transcript reveals the following.\nThe State\u2019s evidence included the testimony showing defendant\u2019s fingerprint was identified on the pizza box. In order to lay the foundation for the fingerprint expert\u2019s testimony, the State called a correctional officer to testify to the known fingerprints of the defendant. These known fingerprints were transported to the crime lab for identification. The State\u2019s fingerprint expert testified she found latent prints on the pizza box suitable for comparison. After determining they did not belong to the pizza driver, she ran an automated-fingerprint-identification-system (AFIS) search. She obtained a \u201chit,\u201d indicating the prints belonged to the defendant. After receiving known fingerprint cards of the defendant, the State\u2019s expert made a comparison to the prints on the pizza box and determined they in fact belonged to the defendant.\nDefense counsel clearly was aware of the State\u2019s evidence. In opening statements, defendant\u2019s lawyer admitted defendant was at the residence where the robbery occurred and he admitted defendant did, in fact, touch the pizza boxes. The defendant took the position he was at the location of the robbery for about one minute, touched the pizza box, and left. He claimed he was not present when the robbery happened. Oftentimes, defense counsel will strategically admit facts on which the State\u2019s evidence is conclusive in order to gain credibility with the jury. In other words, when a forensic lab expert, with no personal interest in the case, definitively identifies latent prints as a defendant\u2019s fingerprints, there is no reason to argue otherwise. Thus it was not ineffective, nor does defendant so contend, for counsel to admit to the jury what the evidence would clearly show \u2014 defendant touched the pizza boxes.\nMoreover, defense counsel knew part of the State\u2019s foundation for the admissibility of the fingerprint expert\u2019s testimony would be the actual, known prints of defendant, which were on arrest cards. Knowing this, it was not objectively unreasonable for counsel to ask defendant whether he had a criminal record or to note the defendant had been in trouble before. The jury was going to surmise this from the arrest cards anyway. By bringing it out through the defendant himself, counsel hoped to bolster defendant\u2019s credibility with the jury when he denied committing the robbery later in his testimony. This is borne out by defense counsel\u2019s closing argument when he stated to the jury, \u201cMr. Coleman was right up front. He told you, he\u2019s in trouble.\u201d From this argument, counsel was hoping the jury would infer, since defendant was honest about his prior troubles, he must be telling the truth about his noninvolvement with the robbery. This was not a performance that falls below an objective standard of reasonableness, and thus counsel was not ineffective.\nLastly, the State\u2019s questions of defendant regarding his release from DOC were limited and when viewed in the context of the trial, not improper. When defendant testified, apparently he felt it necessary to explain why he would not have known his friend, Michael Hettinger, no longer lived at 12 South State. Defendant stated, \u201c[a]t the time, before I got locked up, my friend Michael Hettinger was living at the residence that the robbery occurred at.\u201d In other words, his going to a long-vacant house to see his friend is explained by his absence from the community while in DOC. Since defendant offered this testimony, the State was allowed to cross-examine defendant about it. We note the State\u2019s questioning on this topic was not extensive.\nB. Defendant\u2019s Sentence\nDefendant argues the sentence for armed violence predicated on robbery as compared to the sentence for armed robbery with a firearm violates the proportionate-penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution. As such, defendant asks this court to vacate his conviction for armed violence and remand for entry of judgment on his conviction for armed robbery with a firearm, which carries a lesser penalty. Defendant did not object at sentencing nor did he file a posttrial motion on this issue.\nWe review the trial court\u2019s application of a statute de novo. People v. Cornelius, 213 Ill. 2d 178, 188, 821 N.E.2d 288, 295 (2004). To overcome the presumption that statutes are constitutional, the party challenging the statute must show it violates the constitution. People v. Sharpe, 216 Ill. 2d 481, 487, 839 N.E.2d 492, 497 (2005). We defer to the legislature on sentencing issues as it is institutionally more capable of fashioning appropriate sentences. See People v. Hill, 199 Ill. 2d 440, 454, 771 N.E.2d 374, 383 (2002).\nThe Criminal Code of 1961 (Code) provides an individual commits armed robbery when he violates section 18 \u2014 1 of the Code and \u201ccarries on or about his or her person or is otherwise armed with a firearm.\u201d 720 ILCS 5/18 \u2014 2(a)(2) (West 2006). As a Class X felony, armed robbery with a firearm carries a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years. 730 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 8\u20141(a)(3) (West 2006). When an offender uses or possesses a firearm during the commission of the crime, as in the present case, the trial court must apply a mandatory 15-year enhancement, bringing the sentencing range for armed robbery with a firearm to 21 to 45 years. 720 ILCS 5/18 \u2014 2(b) (West 2006).\nThe sentencing provision for armed violence is provided in section 33A \u2014 3(a) of the Code as follows: \u201cViolation of [sjection 33A \u2014 2(a) with a Category I weapon is a Class X felony for which the defendant shall be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years.\u201d 720 ILCS 5/33A \u2014 3(a) (West 2006). A handgun is a category I weapon. 720 ILCS 5/33A \u2014 1(c)(1) (West 2006).\nArticle I, section 11, of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 provides \u201c[a]ll penalties shall be determined both according to the seriousness of the offense and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful citizenship.\u201d Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, \u00a711. Where offenses with identical elements carry different sentences, the proportionate-penalties clause is violated. Sharpe, 216 Ill. 2d at 487, 839 N.E.2d at 498. An unconstitutional statute is void ab initio, i.e., \u201c \u2018 \u201c[a]n invalid law is no law at all.\u201d \u2019 \u201d People v. Gersch, 135 Ill. 2d 384, 390, 553 N.E.2d 281, 283 (1990), quoting Van Driel Drug Store, Inc. v. Mahin, 47 Ill. 2d 378, 381, 265 N.E.2d 659, 661 (1970), quoting People ex rel. Barrett v. Sbarbaro, 386 Ill. 581, 590, 54 N.E.2d 559, 562 (1944). The effect of declaring a statute unconstitutional is to revert to the statute as it existed before the amendment. Gersch, 135 Ill. 2d at 390, 553 N.E.2d at 283. A reviewing court has a duty to vacate void orders. People v. Brown, 225 Ill. 2d 188, 195, 866 N.E.2d 1163, 1167 (2007).\nHere, defendant committed armed robbery with a firearm and armed violence in March 2006. In 1996, our supreme court held armed robbery with a dangerous weapon (sentencing range of 6 to 30 years\u2019 imprisonment) and armed violence with a dangerous weapon (sentencing range of 15 to 30 years\u2019 imprisonment) were substantively identical offenses with different penalties. People v. Lewis, 175 Ill. 2d 412, 418, 677 N.E.2d 830, 832-33 (1996). As such, the Lewis court held the penalty for armed violence predicated on armed robbery violated the proportionate-penalties clause. Lewis, 175 Ill. 2d at 418, 677 N.E.2d at 833. In 2000, the Illinois legislature enacted Public Act 91 \u2014 404 \u201cto deter the use of firearms in the commission of a felony offense.\u201d Pub. Act 91 \u2014 404, \u00a75, eff. January 1, 2000 (1999 Ill. Legis. Serv. 4026, 4032 (West)). The act amended the sentencing portion of the armed-robbery statute to provide for 15/20/25 to life increases in sentences for the four varieties of armed robbery. Pub. Act 91 \u2014 404, \u00a75, eff. January 1, 2000 (1999 Ill. Legis. Serv. 4026, 4031 (West)). The effect of this amendment was to increase the minimum sentence for armed robbery, while armed with a firearm, to 21 years.\nIn People v. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d 63, 871 N.E.2d 1 (2007), our supreme court revisited the proportionate-penalties issue raised by Public Act 91 \u2014 404. There, the trial court refused to enhance the defendant\u2019s armed-robbery sentence on the grounds it violated the proportionate-penalties clause. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d at 69, 871 N.E.2d at 4-5. Our supreme court reviewed defendant\u2019s conviction for armed robbery in light of the \u201clesser offense\u201d of armed violence predicated on robbery because the evidence would have supported that conviction. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d at 88, 871 N.E.2d at 15. The court determined a charge of armed violence predicated on robbery had the same elements as a charge of armed robbery while armed with a firearm, but the offenses carried different penalties. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d at 85-86, 871 N.E.2d at 13-14. In accordance with Lewis, the court held when an amended statute violates the proportionate-penalties clause, the reviewing court should remand for resentencing under the statute as it existed before the amendment. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d at 88-89, 871 N.E.2d at 15.\nThe Code defines armed robbery as the taking of property from the person or presence of another by the use of force or the threat of imminent force while armed with a firearm. 720 ILCS 5/18 \u2014 1(a), 18\u2014 2(a)(2) (West 2006). Armed violence predicated on robbery is the offense of robbery (720 ILCS 5/18 \u2014 1(a) (West 2006)) while armed with a category I weapon. 720 ILCS 5/33A \u2014 1(c), 33A \u2014 2(a) (West 2006). As the elements of the two offenses are identical, the proportionate-penalties clause applies and their sentences should be identical as well. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d at 86, 871 N.E.2d at 14. However, armed robbery with a firearm, with the 15-year enhancement, carries a 21- to 45-year sentence while the sentencing range for armed violence is 15 to 30 years. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d at 86, 871 N.E.2d at 14. Because the penalty for armed robbery with a firearm is more severe than the penalty for armed violence, the 15-year enhancement for armed robbery created by Public Act 91 \u2014 404 violates the proportionate-penalties clause. Hauschild, 226 Ill. 2d at 88, 871 N.E.2d at 15.\nIn this case, the trial court sentenced defendant to 15 years\u2019 imprisonment for armed violence and did not sentence him on his conviction for armed robbery with a firearm. At the time of his sentencing, Hauschild had already determined the 15-year enhancement for armed robbery with a firearm was unconstitutional. The sentencing range for armed robbery was 6 to 30 years. However, armed violence, a crime with identical elements to armed robbery with a firearm, carries a penalty of no less than 15 years\u2019 imprisonment. As such, the armed-violence sentence violates the proportionate-penalties clause. Because the statute was void ab initio at the time of sentencing, defendant\u2019s sentence is void. According to Hauschild, the proper remedy under these circumstances is to remand for sentencing on the offense with the lesser penalty, armed robbery.\nWe note subsequent to defendant\u2019s commission of this offense, the legislature amended the armed-violence statute in an attempt to alleviate the proportionate-penalties issue. See Pub. Act 95 \u2014 688, \u00a74, eff. October 23, 2007 (2007 Ill. Legis. Serv. 6228, 6228-29 (West)). The language of the new statute, inter alia, eliminated the charge of armed violence for a person who uses a firearm to commit robbery. We also recognize the issue of Hauschild\u2019s viability has been argued before the supreme court in People v. Kelly, No. 107832 (March 2010). Unless and until our supreme court modifies its decision in Hauschild, we are bound to follow it.\nIII. CONCLUSION\nFor the reasons stated, we vacate the trial court\u2019s 15-year sentence and remand for sentencing on defendant\u2019s armed-robbery conviction.\nSentence vacated; cause remanded for resentencing.\nMYERSCOUGH, PJ., and McCULLOUGH, J., concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "JUSTICE POPE"
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Michael J. Pelletier, Gary R. Peterson, and Molly C. Dickason, all of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Springfield, for appellant.",
      "Randall Brinegar, State\u2019s Attorney, of Danville (Patrick Delfino, Robert J. Biderman, and Anastacia R. Brooks, all of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TA\u2019RHON COLEMAN, Defendant-Appellant.\nFourth District\nNo. 4\u201408\u20140682\nOpinion filed April 16, 2010.\nMichael J. Pelletier, Gary R. Peterson, and Molly C. Dickason, all of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Springfield, for appellant.\nRandall Brinegar, State\u2019s Attorney, of Danville (Patrick Delfino, Robert J. Biderman, and Anastacia R. Brooks, all of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People."
  },
  "file_name": "1150-01",
  "first_page_order": 1166,
  "last_page_order": 1176
}
