People v. French

Defendant appeals from the judgment of the circuit court of Edwards County imposing a sentence of three years’ probation after a verdict of guilty of the offense of aggravated assault.

Defendant-appellant’s briefs were filed nearly three months prior to the court’s taking this case under advisement; however, no briefs were filed on behalf of the People and no extensions of time for filing briefs were sought.

Although on many occasions this court has determined that the doing of substantial justice required deciding a case on the merits notwithstanding the lack of briefs by the People, such a…