People v. Kent

This case calls for an interpretation of the second paragraph of section 7 of article I of the 1970 constitution of Illinois, which provides:

“No person shall be held to answer for a crime punishable by death or by imprisonment in the penitentiary unless either the initial charge has been brought by indictment of a grand jury or the person has been given a prompt preliminary hearing to establish probable cause.”

The defendant, Dennis Kent, was arrested and charged with armed robbery. The judge who conducted the preliminary hearing ruled that probable cause had not been shown. Subsequently the…