People v. Devenny

Docket No. 91291-Agenda 10-January 2002.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. 
JEREMY DEVENNY, Appellee.

Opinion filed April 18, 2002.

JUSTICE THOMAS delivered the opinion of the court:

The sole issue in this case is whether the 15-year sentencing enhancement for armed robbery while in possession of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/18-2(a)(2), (b) (West 2000)) is valid and enforceable. We hold that it is not.

BACKGROUND

Defendant, Jeremy Devenny, was charged by indictment with robbery (720 ILCS 5/18-1 (West 2000)) and armed robbery while in possession of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/18-2(a)(2) (West 2000)). Although armed robbery is classified generally as a Class X felony, subsection (b) of the armed robbery statute provides that, for armed robberies while in possession of a firearm, "15 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court." 720 ILCS 5/18-2(b) (West 2000). Prior to trial, defendant filed a motion arguing that the 15-year sentencing enhancement both violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, §11) and constitutes an unlawful double enhancement. The circuit court of Du Page County agreed with both of defendant's arguments, invalidated the 15-year enhancement, and dismissed the armed robbery count. The State immediately appealed under Supreme Court Rule 604(a)(1) (145 Ill. 2d R. 604(a)(1)). Because the trial court's ruling invalidates a statute of this state, the appeal was taken directly to this court. 134 Ill. 2d R. 603.

ANALYSIS

A statute is presumed constitutional, and the party challenging the statute bears the burden of demonstrating its invalidity. In re K.C., 186 Ill. 2d 542, 550 (1999). This court has a duty to construe a statute in a manner that upholds its validity and constitutionality if it reasonably can be done. People v. Malchow, 193 Ill. 2d 413, 418 (2000). Whether a statute is constitutional is a question of law that we review de novo. Malchow, 193 Ill. 2d at 418.

This appeal is controlled by our decision People v. Walden, No. 90976 (April 18, 2002). In Walden, this court concluded that the 15-year sentencing enhancement for armed robbery while in possession of a firearm violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution and therefore is unenforceable. Walden, slip op. at 5. Given the identity of issue between this appeal and Walden, we hold that the trial court's order invalidating the 15-year enhancement in this case was proper.

CONCLUSION

The judgment of the circuit court of Du Page County is affirmed, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Affirmed and remanded.