People v. Denzel W.

Chief Justice Fitzgerald and Justices Thomas, Kilbride and Karmeier concurred in the judgment and opinion.

Justice Freeman dissented, with opinion, joined by Justice Burke.

OPINION

This consolidated appeal raises the issue of whether a defendant’s right to counsel is violated where defense counsel fails to comply with Supreme Court Rule 711 (210 Ill. 2d R. 711). Specifically, counsel in each of these cases failed to file the accused’s written consent to participation in the defense by a nonattorney senior law student or law graduate (a 711 law student). In Denzel W., respondent was adjudicated…