People v. Ward

Following a bench trial in the circuit court of Grundy County, defendant Jeannie M. Ward was found guilty of the offense of distribution of harmful material to a minor (720 ILCS 5/11 — 21 (West 2000)) and sentenced to 12 months’ conditional discharge, four weekends in the county jail, and a $100 fine. Defendant appealed, arguing that the State had failed to prove her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A divided appellate court affirmed defendant’s conviction. 346 Ill. App. 3d 482. We allowed defendant’s petition for leave to appeal (see 177 Ill. 2d R. 315) and now affirm.

BACKGROUND

The…