No. 21-5001

Ronald D. Smith v. Illinois

Lower Court: Illinois
Docketed: 2021-07-02
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
IFP
Tags: constitutional-proportionality criminal-law criminal-sentencing due-process firearm-enhancement firearms illinois-constitution legislative-revival sentencing statutory-interpretation
Latest Conference: 2021-09-27
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the legislature revived the firearm enhancement in Section 720 ILCS 5/8-4 (B-D) (West 2000) amended by Public Act 91-404 that was declared unconstitutional in its entirety to be available to prosecutors? The issue that was presented to the appellate court is rather Public Act 96-710 revived the firearm enhancement .Morgan , 2003 272 Ill. Dec. 160, 203 Ill. 2d 470, 786 N.E. 2d 994. states as followed, Enhanced penalties for attempted first degree murder with a handgun as a class x felony., with mandatory addition of 15, 20, or 25years to life to a sentence-were held unconstitutionally disproportionate under Illinois Constitution Art. 1, subsection llbbyT5epplevvi.Morgan , 2003, 272 Ill. Dec. 160, 203 Ill. 2d 470, 786 N.E. 2d 994, because a defendant can receive a harsher sentence if the victim survives than if the victim dies. But, see People v Sharp, 216 Ill. 2d 481 (2005). See (Exhibit 2). Petitioner argue that the legislature has not remedied the constitutional infirmity to revive the firearm enhancement .-Therefore , constitue a denial of said petitioner's constitutional rights to due process of the law.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the legislature revived the firearm enhancement in ~ section 720 ILCS 5/8-4 (B-D) (West 2000)

Docket Entries

2021-10-04
Petition DENIED.
2021-08-12
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/27/2021.
2021-03-02
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due August 2, 2021)

Attorneys

Ronald D. Smith
Ronald D. Smith — Petitioner