The PEOPLE v. Hawkins

This is an appeal from a judgment in the circuit court of Cook County dismissing, on motion of the State, petitioner’s post-conviction petition.

On August 30, 1966, Willie Hawkins pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary and was sentenced to concurrent terms of from three to five years to be served in the Illinois State Penitentiary. Thereafter, in 1968, Hawkins filed a pro se post-conviction petition alleging violation of certain of his constitutional rights. The petition was not supported by affidavits, records or other evidence. The public defender was appointed by the court to represent…