People v. Taylor

PRESIDING JUSTICE JONES

delivered the opinion of the court:

We have consolidated for disposition three cases involving the same issue, that being whether a trial court may act upon its own motion to dismiss a criminal case for lack of prosecution.

Defendant Lonnie Eugene Taylor was indicted on August 4, 1983, on charges of armed violence, attempted murder and aggravated battery. On October 26, 1983, the State orally moved for a continuance, giving as a reason that further investigation of the case was necessary. The court continued the case to the next day, October 27, 1983. After the court’s…