People v. Thornton

Following a bench trial, defendant, Walter L. Thornton, was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging personal information (625 ILCS 5/11 — 402(a) (West 2000)) and sentenced to one year of conditional discharge and five days of work in the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (SWAP). Defendant’s sole contention on appeal is that the record fails to establish that he validly waived his right to a jury trial. We reverse and remand.

I. BACKGROUND

On May 11, 2001, defendant was involved in a two-car accident on County Farm Road in Carol Stream and was subsequently charged with…