People v. Strickland

The peculiar procedural history of this case requires this court to analyze section 5—6—4 of the Unified Code of Corrections (Code) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 1005—6—4), which deals with both revocations and modifications of probation, and to distinguish between the procedural requirements involved when the State seeks to have a defendant’s probation revoked as opposed to when the defendant’s probation is merely modified.

In August 1985, defendant, Debra Strickland, a/k/a Debra Rucks, pleaded guilty to theft of property (a diamond ring) having a value in excess of $300 (Ill. Rev.…