People v. Dauer

Section 122 — 2.1(a) of the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) requires a court to which such a petition is directed "[w]ithin 90 days after the filing and docketing of each petition” to "examine such petition and enter an order thereon pursuant to [that] Section.” 725 ILCS 5/122 — 2.1(a) (West 1994). Section 122 — 2.1(a)(2) of the Act directs that if the court finds the petition is "frivolous or *** patently without merit,” the court is to "dismiss the petition in a written order.” 725 ILCS 5/122 — 2.1(a)(2) (West 1994). If the court does not dismiss the petition, the court is to order the…