People v. Stoops

After a bench trial in August 1997, the trial court found defendant, Jeffrey E Stoops, guilty of two counts of aggravated battery (720 ILCS 5/12 — 4 (West 1996)). In September 1997, the trial court sentenced him to 30 months’ probation, imposed a $1,000 fine, and ordered him to make restitution of $27,034.65. Defendant appeals his conviction and sentence, claiming the trial court erred in (1) failing to properly admonish him in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 401(a) (134 Ill. 2d R. 401(a)) before allowing him to waive counsel and (2) in exceeding its bounds by becoming an advocate while…