People v. Brown
People v. Brown
Opinion
*266 ¶ 1 Following a bench trial, Sean Brown was found guilty of one count of being an armed habitual criminal (AHC) ( 720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a) (West 2014) ), two counts of unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon (UUWF) ( id. § 24-1.1(a) ), and two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (AUUW) ( id. §§ 24-1.6(a)(1), (a)(3)(A-5), (a)(3)(C) ). The court merged the counts and sentenced Brown to 13 years' imprisonment on the AHC conviction. On appeal, Brown contends that (i) his sentence is excessive because his criminal background does not justify a 13-year sentence, (ii) the trial court relied on a sentencing factor inherent in the offense, *267 *155 and (iii) the trial court deprived him of his right to a meaningful appeal by failing to fully articulate its sentencing decision. Brown also challenges the fines and fees imposed against him. We affirm, but correct the order assessing fines, fees, and costs.
¶ 2 On January 1, 2015, at about 2:50 a.m., Chicago police officers Ohlson and Lopez curbed a vehicle along West Roosevelt Road for not using its turn signal to change lanes. Brown was seated in the rear passenger seat, behind the driver. When the driver of the vehicle revealed that he did not have a valid driver's license, Ohlson asked the driver and Brown to step out of the vehicle. As Brown stepped out of the vehicle, Ohlson saw him remove what appeared to be a handgun from his pants pocket and throw it on the rear floorboard of the vehicle. Brown fled as Ohlson tried to detain him, and Ohlson and Lopez gave chase on foot. A short time later, an assisting unit detained Brown along South Albany Avenue, and Ohlson identified him. Lopez recovered a handgun containing five live rounds of ammunition from the rear floorboard of the curbed vehicle from which Brown fled.
¶ 3 Brown was later charged with AHC, two counts of UUWF, and five counts of AUUW. At Brown's request, the parties and the trial court held a conference, which was not transcribed. After the conference, the court announced that it had "indicated" at the end of the conference that, if Brown pled guilty, it would sentence him to 10 years' imprisonment. Brown rejected the court's offer, and the case proceeded to trial. Before trial, the state elected not to proceed on four counts of AUUW, and proceeded on the remaining counts.
¶ 4 In addition to the evidence summarized above, the State admitted into evidence at Brown's trial certifications of Brown's prior convictions for UUWF (2008) and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance (2009). The State also admitted a certification from Tracy Shultz of the Firearms Services Bureau of the Illinois State Police, stating that, as of January 20, 2015, records of the Firearms Services Bureau show Brown had never been issued a firearm owner's identification card or a concealed carry license. Brown rested without presenting any evidence. The trial court found Brown guilty on all counts.
¶ 5 At sentencing, the presentence investigation report (PSI) showed Brown had been sentenced on multiple felony convictions: UUWF (2008-3 years Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) ), manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance (2009-3 years IDOC), and possession of a controlled substance (2006-2 years 710-1410 probation, 2007-1 year IDOC, 2012-18 months IDOC, 2013-3 years IDOC). At the time of his arrest in 2015, Brown was 26 years old, was working as a part time laborer earning minimum wage, and regularly took ecstasy.
¶ 6 The State argued in aggravation that Brown had six prior felony convictions, including Class 2 felony convictions for UUWF and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, as well as four convictions for Class 4 felony possession of a controlled substance. In mitigation, defense counsel argued that the court should consider the nature of Brown's prior felony convictions, which were "all, but for one, narcotics related." Counsel maintained that there was no indication in Brown's background that he engaged in violence or used a firearm to commit a crime. Counsel emphasized that Brown was turning 28 years old at the time of sentencing, had completed his GED, and had participated in drug and alcohol counseling and the Cook County Department of Corrections'
*268 *156 PACE program. Counsel also noted that Brown had a bad family background, where "everybody" in his family had been incarcerated. Counsel requested that Brown receive a sentence "toward" the minimum. In allocution, Brown requested leniency.
¶ 7 In announcing its sentence, the trial court stated that it had considered all factors in aggravation and mitigation, including Brown's criminal history. The court acknowledged that, apart from his 2008 UUWF conviction, "the bulk" of Brown's criminal history was drug related and nonviolent. The court noted that Brown would be obligated to serve 85% of his sentence and then sentenced him to 13 years' imprisonment for being an armed habitual criminal. The court merged the other convictions into the armed habitual criminal conviction, credited Brown with 432 days' time served, and assessed $844 in fines, fees, and costs. The court later denied Brown's motion to reconsider sentence.
¶ 8 Here, Brown contends that his sentence is excessive. The Illinois Constitution requires a trial court to impose a sentence that achieves a balance between the seriousness of the offense and the defendant's rehabilitative potential.
People v. Knox
,
"To find the proper balance, the trial court must consider a number of aggravating and mitigating factors including: 'the nature and circumstances of the crime, the defendant's conduct in the commission of the crime, and the defendant's personal history, including his age, demeanor, habits, mentality, credibility, criminal history, general moral character, social environment, and education.' "Id. (quoting People v. Maldonado ,240 Ill. App. 3d 470 , 485-86,181 Ill.Dec. 426 ,608 N.E.2d 499 (1992) ).
A reviewing court will not reweigh sentencing factors and may not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court merely because it would have weighed the factors differently.
¶ 9 A reviewing court gives substantial deference to the trial court's sentencing decision because the trial judge, having observed the defendant and the proceedings, is in a much better position to consider these factors.
People v. Snyder
,
¶ 10 The offense of armed habitual criminal is a Class X felony, punishable by 6 to 30 years' imprisonment. 720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(b) (West 2014); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25(a) (West 2014). As Brown's 13-year sentence falls within the permissible statutory range, we presume it is proper. See
Knox
,
¶ 11 Brown argues that the trial court abused its discretion in sentencing him *269 *157 because (1) his 13-year sentence-three years greater than the sentence it offered in exchange for his guilty plea-penalized him for exercising his right to trial, (2) the trial court deprived him of any meaningful opportunity to appeal his sentence because of its "scant" explanation of the reasons for the sentence, (3) the trial court relied upon an improper sentencing factor in considering Brown's previous UUWF conviction, on which his AHC conviction was predicated, and (4) his sentence is excessive in light of his drug-related, and non-violent criminal background.
¶ 12 Brown first argues that his sentence amounts to punishment for exercising his right to a trial. Although it may be proper in imposing sentence to grant concessions to a defendant who enters a plea of guilty, a court may not penalize the defendant for asserting his right to a trial.
People v. Ward
,
¶ 13 There is no such evidence in the record here. The trial court did not mention the earlier plea offer at sentencing. The mere fact that it imposed a greater sentence than that offered in the plea deal does not support an inference that it imposed the sentence as a punishment for demanding trial.
People v. Andrews
,
¶ 14 Brown cites
People v. Love
,
"[T]here is nothing inherently unconstitutional in increasing a sentence after trial. Such an increase need not connote the imposition of a penalty because the defendant elected to proceed to trial, but, rather, the disparity may simply reflect an inducement given to a defendant to plea bargain in exchange for a sentence less than that which is ordinarily warranted." Id. at 1064,220 Ill.Dec. 435 ,673 N.E.2d 347 .
Further, a sentence greater than that offered before trial may be explained by the court's consideration of additional evidence regarding the circumstances of the crime admitted at trial.
People v. Peterson
,
¶ 15 Brown argues there is "nothing particularly aggravating" to justify a 30% increase over the sentence he was offered before trial. However, he rejected the sentence the court offered in order to induce him to accept the plea, and thus chose not to take advantage of the inducement of a lower sentence. See
People v. Moss
,
¶ 16 Nevertheless, Brown argues that if we find the trial court's sentence did not punish him for exercising his right to a trial, we should instead hold that the judge's "minimal comments" at sentencing deprived him of a record necessary to meaningfully challenge his sentence, violating his constitutional rights of appeal and to due process. He contends that, due to the trial court's "sparse" findings on the record at sentencing, we cannot determine if the trial court abused its discretion in sentencing him to 13 years' imprisonment. Brown asks that we remand his case to the trial court with specific instructions to more adequately explain the justification for his sentence.
¶ 17 Brown acknowledges that, in
People v. Davis
,
¶ 18 In support of his argument, Brown cites to dissenting and specially concurring opinions, asserting that, in the interest of fairness and transparency, the trial court should give defendant an explanation of its sentencing decision. See
Davis
,
¶ 19 Brown also argues that the trial court relied upon an improper sentencing factor when it considered his prior UUWF conviction as an aggravating factor, even though, as charged, the UUWF conviction already served as a predicate offense for AHC. See 720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a)(2) (West 2014) (enumerating UUWF as a predicate offense of AHC). The legislature has the power "to codify provisions which enhance a criminal offense (
e.g.
, misdemeanor to a felony) or enhance the applicable range of punishment (
e.g.
, extended term sentence or Class X sentencing). This is known as 'single enhancement.' "
People v. Thomas
,
¶ 20 We reject Brown's argument that he suffered a double enhancement. In
Thomas
,
¶ 21 Although
Thomas
concerned the mandatory Class X sentencing statute rather than the Class X AHC offense, we find the court's reasoning applicable. Thus, although Brown's prior UUWF conviction was used as a predicate offense for the AHC conviction, the trial court could properly consider the UUWF conviction as part of Brown's criminal history. See
id.
at 227-28,
¶ 22 Further, the trial court, in announcing its sentencing decision, is not required to refrain from any mention of the factors that constitute elements of an offense, and the mere reference to the existence of such a factor is not reversible error.
Andrews
,
¶ 23 Brown also argues that his sentence was excessive because his criminal history does not include "any violent acts or arrests" and the trial court did not "fully appreciate" mitigating evidence of his participation in drug and alcohol counseling and the PACE program and the fact that he earned his GED. As mentioned, we presume that the trial court considered all relevant factors in determining a sentence absent evidence in the record demonstrating that it did not consider mitigating factors.
Flores
,
¶ 24 Brown has not identified explicit evidence showing that the trial court did not consider relevant mitigating factors. They were mentioned by Brown's counsel during the sentencing hearing, and the same information was in the presentence investigation report that the court indicated it had received and read before the hearing. There is no basis for this court to presume that the trial court did not consider mitigating factors. See
Means
,
¶ 25 Brown next contends that we should correct the order assessing fines, fees, and costs to vacate various assessments and characterize other assessments as fines subject to offset by his presentence custody credit. Brown concedes that he did not preserve these issues by raising them to the trial court. See
People v. Hillier
,
*273
*161
Accordingly, while we disagree that plain error or Rule 615(b) provide avenues for review of these forfeited issues (
People v. Grigorov
,
¶ 26 The State and Brown correctly agree the $100 trauma fund fine was improperly imposed. This fine should be "added to every penalty imposed in sentencing for a violation of Sections 241.1, 24-1.2, or 24-1.5 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012." 730 ILCS 5/5-9-1.10 (West 2016). The fine is therefore inapplicable to Brown's sentence for the offense of armed habitual criminal, which is a violation of section 24-1.7 of the Criminal Code of 2012. See 720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a) (West 2014). Accordingly, we vacate the trauma fund fine assessed against Brown. See
Bryant
,
¶ 27 We also vacate the $250 DNA identification system fee ( 730 ILCS 5/5-4-3(j) (West 2016) ), which was improperly imposed because Brown was already convicted of a felony offense in 2008 and 2009 in unrelated cases. See
People v. Leach
,
¶ 28 The State and Brown correctly agree that the $5 court system fee ( 55 ILCS 5/5-1101(a) (West 2016) ) and the $5 electronic citation fee ( 705 ILCS 105/27.3e (West 2016) ) should be vacated. The court system fee does not apply because Brown violated neither the Illinois Vehicle Code nor a municipal ordinance. 55 ILCS 5/5-1101(a) (West 2016). The electronic citation fee does not apply to Brown's felony conviction for being an armed habitual criminal. See
People v. Smith
,
¶ 29 Brown lastly claims eight other assessments labeled as fees are actually fines subject to offset by his presentence custody credit. A defendant is entitled to a credit of $5 against his fines, but not fees, for each day spent in presentence custody.
Reed
,
*274
*162
¶ 30 It is well established that, as the parties correctly agree, the $50 court system fee ( 55 ILCS 5/5-1101(c)(1) (West 2016) ) and the $15 state police operations fee ( 705 ILCS 105/27.3a(1.5) (West 2016) ) are actually fines that should be offset by the credit. See
Smith
,
¶ 31 The parties disagree regarding Brown's remaining challenges to his fees. Brown argues that the $2 Public Defender Records Automation Fund fee ( 55 ILCS 5/3-4012 (West 2016) ), and the $2 State's Attorney Records Automation Fund fee (
id.
§ 4-2002.1(c) ) are fines. However, "the bulk of legal authority has concluded that both assessments are fees rather than fines because they are designed to compensate those organizations for the expenses they incur in updating their automated record-keeping systems while prosecuting and defending criminal defendants."
People v. Brown
,
¶ 32 Finally, Brown argues that the $190 felony complaint filing fee ( 705 ILCS 105/27.2a(w)(1)(A) (West 2016) ), the $25 automation fee (
id.
§ 27.3a(1) ), the $25 document storage fee (
id.
§ 27.3c(a) ), and the $25 court service fee ( 55 ILCS 5/5-1103 (West 2016) ) are fines that should be offset by the credit.
2
In considering similar challenges to these assessments, we have already found that they are fees because they are "compensatory" and represent a "collateral consequence" of a defendant's conviction. (Internal quotation marks omitted.)
Brown
,
¶ 33 In sum, we affirm Brown's sentence and vacate the $100 trauma fund fine, the $250 DNA identification system fee, the $5 court system fee, the $5 electronic citation *275 *163 fee, and the $2 Public Defender Automation Fund fee. We also order that the $50 court system fee and $15 State Police operations fee should be offset by Brown's presentence custody credit. We remand to the circuit court with directions to modify the fines, fees, and costs order accordingly. The trial court's judgment is affirmed in all other respects.
¶ 34 Affirmed as modified and remanded with directions.
Justice Lavin concurred in the judgment and opinion.
Justice Hyman concurred in part and dissented in part, with opinion.
¶ 35 JUSTICE HYMAN, dissenting in part:
¶ 36 I agree with my colleagues that Brown's sentence should be affirmed and agree with their disposition of the majority of Brown's challenges to the various fines and fees imposed. I disagree with the holding as to the State's Attorney Records Automation charge. As I previously explained in
People v. Camacho
,
¶ 37 As to the Public Defender's Records Automation charge, the majority correctly vacates it because Brown did not use the services of the public defender. As an aside, the majority criticizes the Illinois Attorney General's Office for conceding, in a similar case, that this charge is a fine. I agree with the Attorney General's concession. See
People v. Clark
,
We note that in an appeal pending in the supreme court,
People v. Clark
,
The parties state the document storage fee assessed against Brown was $15. However, the fines, fees, and costs order indicates that the document storage fee assessed against Brown was $25.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Sean BROWN, Defendant-Appellant.
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Unpublished