People v. Allen

In March 2002, a grand jury charged defendant, Jackie A. Allen, with burglary (720 ILCS 5/19 — 1(a) (West 2000) (text of section effective June 1, 2001)). The day of his September 2002 trial, he sought to plead guilty to a lesser charge under a proposed plea agreement with the State. Upon ascertaining that the State had not yet drafted the charge, the trial court refused to consider the plea agreement. The trial proceeded, and the jury found defendant guilty as charged. At a joint October 2002 hearing, the court denied defendant’s posttrial motion and sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment.

De…