People v. Phipps

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

Justice Garman specially concurred, with opinion.

OPINION

Defendant Craven F. Phipps pled guilty to aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (625 ILCS 5/11— 501(d)(1)(F) (West 2004)). The circuit court of Winnebago County sentenced him to 12 years’ imprisonment. The appellate court reversed defendant’s conviction, holding his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to seek dismissal of the charge on speedy-trial grounds. 382 Ill. App. 3d 1047. We allowed the State’s…