People v. Stivers

In separate cases, defendant, Ronald Stivers, pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/12 — 14(a)(1) (West 1998)) and criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/12 — 13(a)(1) (West 1998)) and was sentenced to prison terms of 13 years and 9 years, respectively. Defendant filed a postconviction petition. The trial court dismissed the petition, holding that the issues were waived because defendant did not file a direct appeal. Defendant appeals the dismissal of his petition, arguing that the trial court erred by holding that the failure to directly appeal waives all issues on…