People v. Tursios

I respectfully dissent in part.

With respect to defendant’s contention that the trial court failed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, I disagree with the majority’s conclusion that the “trial court did not err in failing to investigate the nonexistent claims.” 349 Ill. App. 3d at 131-32. Rather, a preliminary investigation was not only warranted, but required in this case.

Defendant, from Honduras, speaks only a limited amount of English. An interpreter aided his communication with the court. When the court questioned him, defendant gave…