{ "id": 3413285, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DENNIS SZUDY, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Szudy", "decision_date": "1978-01-05", "docket_number": "No. 76-1062", "first_page": "494", "last_page": "499", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "56 Ill. App. 3d 494" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "337 N.E.2d 40", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "33 Ill. App. 3d 443", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2873468 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/33/0443-01" ] }, { "cite": "358 N.E.2d 1164", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "44 Ill. App. 3d 894", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2813772 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/44/0894-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 N.E.2d 247", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "6 Ill. App. 3d 136", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2465254 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/6/0136-01" ] }, { "cite": "300 N.E.2d 822", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1972, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "13 Ill. App. 3d 453", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5343081 ], "year": 1972, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/13/0453-01" ] }, { "cite": "93 S. Ct. 3015", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "S. Ct.", "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "37 L. Ed. 2d 1012", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "412 U.S. 963", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6292210, 6293155, 6292540, 6292821 ], "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/412/0963-01", "/us/412/0963-04", "/us/412/0963-02", "/us/412/0963-03" ] }, { "cite": "93 S. Ct. 2155", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "S. Ct.", "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "36 L. Ed 2d 689", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "411 U.S. 967", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 9985, 10274, 9956, 9734, 9960, 9741, 10353, 10258, 9843, 9852, 9950 ], "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/411/0967-06", "/us/411/0967-11", "/us/411/0967-08", "/us/411/0967-10", "/us/411/0967-05", "/us/411/0967-07", "/us/411/0967-09", "/us/411/0967-03", "/us/411/0967-01", "/us/411/0967-04", "/us/411/0967-02" ] }, { "cite": "288 N.E.2d 376", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "52 Ill. 2d 544", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5395339 ], "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/52/0544-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 653, "char_count": 12609, "ocr_confidence": 0.91, "pagerank": { "raw": 7.817613545401295e-08, "percentile": 0.45783306285424363 }, "sha256": "c383261b3b5c9012f7fa96f3dfc5c536e3fad9b43a90e4a4bb35d10e4674ec90", "simhash": "1:f892fdf863503ff1", "word_count": 2174 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:43:47.132655+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. DENNIS SZUDY, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Mr. JUSTICE LINN\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nAfter a bench trial, the defendant, Dennis Szudy, was found guilty of the offense of aggravated assault (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, par. 12\u20142(a)(1)). He was sentenced to a term of 10 months in the House of Correction. His sole contention on appeal is that this conviction violated his constitutional right against double jeopardy inasmuch as he had previously been placed under a peace bond (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, par. 200\u20141 et seq.) for the same acts upon which the conviction is based.\nWhile we conclude that the defendant\u2019s contention is without merit, nevertheless, for the reasons hereinafter set forth, we reverse the conviction.\nI\nOn April 20,1976, a warrant issued for defendant\u2019s arrest pursuant to a misdemeanor complaint filed by his wife. The complaint charged that on April 19,1976, without lawful justification, defendant attempted to choke her with a rolled up handkerchief, placing her in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery.\nOn April 26, 1976, the parties appeared before a judge other than the one who presided at trial. The State related that the complainant wished that defendant be placed under the restraints of a peace bond. The State also requested the court to admonish defendant that if he did not leave complainant alone, the State would seek a revocation of a parole term to which defendant was apparently then subject, and effect his reincarceration. The court questioned defendant, who was not represented by counsel at this proceeding, whether he understood the State\u2019s position. Defendant responded in the affirmative, adding that complainant was his wife and had filed an action for divorce. The court then said to defendant:\n\u201cThat\u2019s neither here nor there.\nWhat he is telling you, I think, is good information for you to know. Even this arrest now, it is now going to be stricken, can put you back in the joint.\nI don\u2019t know what you are doing for time, at this juncture, it does not make any difference to me, but if you don\u2019t want to go back, don\u2019t bother lady, or anything else.\nSOL, keep the peace.\u201d\nThe report of proceedings indicates that no plea was entered, no witnesses were sworn and no testimony was taken. The half-sheet record discloses the court\u2019s order as \u201cStricken from docket with leave to reinstate.\u201d There is no reference to a \u201cpeace bond\u201d proceeding nor that the defendant in effect executed such an undertaking.\nWithout indicating what had transpired in the interim, the record further disclosed that on May 28,1976, the matter came on for trial on the original misdemeanor complaint before Judge Genesen. The complainant testified that she was at her aunt\u2019s home in Chicago on April 19, 1976, when defendant took a large handkerchief from his pocket, drew it taut with his hands, and, while advancing toward her, told the witness he was going to strangle her. She said she screamed and backed away, and that defendant fled when her aunt appeared on the scene.\nDefendant, who was represented at this trial by appointed counsel, claimed that he had gone to the home of complainant\u2019s aunt to ask complainant about some of his personal belongings. The complainant told him that he could have everything if he returned in two hours. He stated that he had been wearing a handkerchief around his head as a sweat band; and when his wife asked him why he was wearing this \u201csilly looking thing,\u201d he removed it, showed it to her and told her its purpose was to keep perspiration out of his eyes. He denied pulling the handkerchief taut between his hands, and stated that he had in fact backed away from complainant as she walked. He then placed the article in his pocket and left the area. He testified that he learned a warrant had been issued for his arrest when he telephoned the aunt\u2019s home later that day.\nAt the close of the evidence and arguments of counsel, the court commented on certain aspects of the testimony that was presented, the lack of evidence of ill feeling between the complainant and the defendant, and the lack of motive on the part of the defendant. The following dialogue then took place:\n\u201cTHE COURT: * * * I don\u2019t know about this case, but I don\u2019t know what can be accomplished. I could find him guilty. I don\u2019t know if this case is in the divorce courts. Does the wife feel that she is going to gain anything by a criminal record against him: If she is afraid of him, he has been locked up. I imagine I could give him time served or probation or something else. Wouldn\u2019t this matter be better served by a peace bond without a criminal record. Let her talk to the State\u2019s Attorney before I make a finding.\nMR. STACY: The victim indicates to me, your Honor, there was a peace bond already against the defendant and\u2014\nTHE COURT: If I had known this, this would have been interesting evidence which would have also \u2014 all right, anything further from either side on this?\nMR. MURPHY: No, your Honor.\nTHE COURT: Finding of guilty.\nMR. SZURDY [sic]: Your Honor, I think this is wrong.\nTHE COURT: Well, I have heard the evidence and listened to it in the light of my own common sense and this is the best I could do. I feel you are guilty, I feel it is proof beyond a reasonable doubt.\u201d\nThe record further discloses that the defendant, his mother and the complainant made comments to the court indicating they were of the impression defendant had been placed under a peace bond prior to this trial. It is apparent that the court was misled and believed the defendant had violated the terms of his peace bond.\nDefendant was thereupon found guilty of aggravated assault, but the court continued the matter with leave to the defense to reopen the case for testimony by complainant\u2019s aunt.\nThe case was later reopened and complainant\u2019s aunt testified as a defense witness. She had observed defendant place a handkerchief against the complainant\u2019s throat on the day in question, and she summoned the police when complainant screamed. After this witness\u2019 testimony, the matter of the peace bond was again raised by defendant\u2019s mother.\nII\nUpon thorough review of the record filed on this appeal, we conclude that it is unnecessary to consider the question raised by defendant regarding the alleged violation of his constitutional right against double jeopardy. The record fails to demonstrate that defendant had in fact been subjected to a peace bond for the acts forming the basis of this conviction. Moreover, defendant has waived this question on appeal by reason of his failure to raise it below.\nSection 1 et seq. of divison V of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1874 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, par. 200\u20141 et seq.) provide for the issuance of peace bonds. When complaint is made that a person is threatening to commit an offense against another or the latter\u2019s property, the court is authorized to hear the complainant and to issue a warrant for the arrest of the person complained of. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, pars. 200\u20142 and 200\u20143.) The person complained of and the complainant shall be examined by the court, and if it appears that there is no reason to fear commission of the offense, the person complained of shall be discharged. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, pars. 200\u20144 and 200\u20145.) If, on the other hand, there is reason to fear commission of an offense, the person complained of shall be required to give bond, with sufficient security in the discretion of the court, requiring him to keep the peace toward all people and especially toward the complainant or the latter\u2019s property, for a period not to exceed 12 months. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, par. 200\u20146.) If the person complained of complies with the terms of the order, he shall be discharged; but if he fails to comply or to give bond as required, he may be incarcerated. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, par. 200\u20147.) The statute further provides that the State\u2019s Attorney shall prosecute any breach of the conditions of the bond, and that a conviction of the person complained of for an offense against the complainant or his property shall not be a prerequisite to a proceeding upon the bond. Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, pars. 200\u201414 and 200\u201415.\nApart from the statements in the record made by the principals to this matter that defendant had been placed under a peace bond in connection with the threatened strangulation occurring on April 19,1976, the record is devoid of any documentation to that effect. While the State, at the April 26 proceeding, indicated to the court that the complainant wished a peace bond in the matter, the State itself simply requested the court to admonish defendant concerning the complainant. The court acceded to the State\u2019s request, admonished defendant in that respect, and then dismissed the complaint with leave to reinstate, telling defendant also to \u201ckeep the peace.\u201d The record does not show that any proceeding was instituted against defendant for a peace bond; nor does the record disclose that such bond was in fact issued, or if issued, what were its terms which could possibly subject defendant to future penalty for its violation.\nThe admonishments given by the court to defendant on April 26,1976, including the caveat to \u201ckeep the peace\u201d and in light of the accompanying dismissal of the charge with leave to reinstate, appear to have been no more than a warning to defendant of what might result if he did not stay away from his wife. The record before us fails to show the issuance and execution of a peace bond.\nWe also note that defendant failed to raise the question of the alleged violation of his constitutional right against double jeopardy at the trial of the case. This failure precludes raising that issue on appeal. See People v. Black (1972), 52 Ill. 2d 544, 288 N.E.2d 376, cert. denied (1973), 411 U.S. 967, 36 L. Ed 2d 689, 93 S. Ct. 2155, rehearing denied (1973), 412 U.S. 963, 37 L. Ed. 2d 1012, 93 S. Ct. 3015; People v. Miles (1973), 13 Ill. App. 3d 453, 300 N.E.2d 822; People v. Morris (1972), 6 Ill. App. 3d 136, 139 N.E.2d 247.\nIll\nNevertheless, we must reverse the conviction. The record indicates that the court had some serious misgivings as to the defendant\u2019s guilt. The court attempted to resolve the matter through some peace bond procedure so as to avoid the defendant suffering a criminal record. It was at this point that the assistant State\u2019s Attorney, who was not the same assistant in attendance at the April 26 proceeding, remarked that the complainant had told him defendant previously had been placed under a peace bond. It is clear that the State\u2019s Attorney was unaware of the inaccuracy of the complainant\u2019s statement. Thereupon, the court stated, \u201cIf I had known this, this would have been interesting evidence which would have also \u2014 all right, anything further from either side on this?\u201d The court then pronounced its finding of guilty.\nIt is apparent from the record that the court was of the belief that the defendant was the subject of a prior peace bond proceeding and that there was evidence to substantiate that the defendant had violated the terms of the peace bond by subsequently intruding upon his wife. This conclusion, based upon the innocent but nonetheless erroneous representations at trial, resulted directly in a finding of guilty and the imposition of a 10-month sentence. Since the conviction was based upon facts not properly in evidence, we must reverse. (See People v. Patterson (1976), 44 Ill. App. 3d 894, 358 N.E.2d 1164.) As pointed out, the record is devoid of any evidence to support the assertion that defendant was already under a peace bond at the time of trial. The report of proceedings makes it abundantly clear that the trial court was greatly influenced by this information.\nAlthough defendant neither raised at trial nor argued on appeal the point for reversal that we express, nevertheless we are compelled under Supreme Court Rule 615(a) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 110A, par. 615(a)) to reverse and remand for a new trial because of the doctrine of \u201cplain error.\u201d People v. Young (1975), 33 Ill. App. 3d 443, 337 N.E.2d 40.\nReversed and remanded.\nJOHNSON, P. J., and DIERINGER, J., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "Mr. JUSTICE LINN" } ], "attorneys": [ "James J. Doherty, Public Defender, of Chicago (Philip Farina and Aaron L. Meyers, Assistant Public Defenders, of counsel), for appellant.", "Bernard Carey, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (Laurence J. Bolon, Mary Ellen Dienes, and Leonard J. Wojtecki, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DENNIS SZUDY, Defendant-Appellant.\nFirst District (4th Division)\nNo. 76-1062\nOpinion filed January 5, 1978.\nJames J. Doherty, Public Defender, of Chicago (Philip Farina and Aaron L. Meyers, Assistant Public Defenders, of counsel), for appellant.\nBernard Carey, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (Laurence J. Bolon, Mary Ellen Dienes, and Leonard J. Wojtecki, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." }, "file_name": "0494-01", "first_page_order": 516, "last_page_order": 521 }