Lead Opinion
delivered the opinion of the court:
Dеfendant, Jerry L. Lindsey, pleaded guilty to the charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (720 ILCS 5/12 — 16(d) (West 1996)) and was placed on sex offender specific intensive probation for a period of four years, and further sentenced to 364 days of work release. Under the terms of his work release, defendant was confined to the Vermilion County Public Safety Building and only released from confinement to perform 200 hours of public service work and attend counseling. Under the terms of his sex offender specific intensive probation, defendant attended counseling at the Prairie Center Health Systems (Prairie Center). He began his treatment in the daytime intensive outpatient group, scheduled to meet between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday, for a period of five weeks. On Decembеr 30, 1999, defendant successfully completed his intensive treatment and was ordered to attend follow-up outpatient treatment. Defendant’s outpatient sessions were scheduled to meet each Monday from 10
On January 7, 2000, the State filed a petition to revoke defendant’s probation. The petition stated that defendant violated probation by signing out of the county jail IV2 hours before his scheduled counseling session on January 3, 2000, and by signing out of the county jail on January 4, 2000, when counseling was not scheduled. At the hearing to revoke defendant’s probation, the State called four witnesses: two Prairie Center counselors, defendant’s probation officer, and defendant. LeAnn Chezem, an adult addiction counselor at the Prairie Center, testified that defendant completed the intensive program and was enrolled in the follow-up program, beginning January 3, 2000. A second counselor testified that she did not observe defendant at the Prairie Center until 10 a.m. on January 3, 2000. Defendant’s probation officer testified and described the terms of defendant’s probation and work release, including the conditions and terms for signing out of the Vermilion County Public Safety Building. When called as an adverse witness, defendant testified about his conduct on January 3 and 4, 2000.
Following the revocation hearing, on February 8, 2000, defendant’s probation was revoked, and defendant was resentenced to another four years’ intensive probation and 364 days of work release to be served at the Vermilion County Public Safety Building. The trial court denied defendant’s motion to reconsider the sentеnce. The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the trial court (
On appeal to this court, defendant argues that: (1) the State violated his right against self-incrimination, pursuant to article I, section 10, of the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 10), by calling him as an adverse witness to testify against himself; (2) the State violated his right to a fundamentally fair probation hearing under the due process clauses of the state and federal constitutions (U.S. Const., amends. V XIV; Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 2) by calling him as an adverse witness because it denied his right to confront and cross-examine, denied his right to counsel, and relieved the State of its burden of proof; and (3) the trial court erred by failing to grant him day-for-day credit for presentence custody. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the appellate court, affirming the decision of the trial court.
ANALYSIS
I. The Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
Under article I, section 10, of our state constitution, “No person shall be compelled in a criminal case to give evidence against himself ***.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 10. Defendant first argues that a probation revocation proceeding is “criminal” in nature within the meaning of article I, section 10, and, therefore, the protections against self-incrimination apply to probation revocation hearings. Our review of this issue is de novo. People v. Carlson,
The United States Supreme Court has resolved a similar issue in the context of the fifth amendment of the federal constitution, which provides, in relevant part, that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal сase to be a witness against himself.” U.S. Const., amend. V. The Court clearly stated that “[probation revocation *** is not a stage of a criminal prosecution, but does result in a loss of liberty.” Gagnon v. Scarpelli,
“A State may require a probationer to appear and discuss matters that affect his probationary status; such a requirement, without more, does not give rise to a self-executing privilege.” Murphy,465 U.S. at 435 ,79 L. Ed. 2d at 424 ,104 S. Ct. at 1146 .
Further, the Court noted that the privilege is not available where the questions put to the probationer posed only the threat that his probation would be terminated:
“Although a revocation proceeding must comport with the requirements of due process, it is not a criminal procеeding. [Citations.] Just as there is no right to a jury trial before probation may be revoked, neither is the privilege against compelled self-incrimination available to a probationer. It follows that whether or not the answer to a question about a residential requirement is compelled by the threat of revocation, there can be no valid claim of the privilege on the ground that the information sought can be used in revocation proceedings.
Our cases indicate, moreover, that a State may validly insist on answers to even incriminating questions and hence sensibly administer its probation system, as long as it recognizes that the required answers may not be used in a criminal proceeding ***.” Murphy,465 U.S. at 435 n.7,79 L. Ed. 2d at 425 n.7,104 S. Ct. at 1146 n.7.
This court has followed the reasoning in Murphy to hold that a defendant cannot claim the privilege against self-incrimination merely because his answer to a question might result in a revocation of his probationary status. For example, in People v. Allen,
Furthermore, our appellate court has relied on Murphy and Gagnon to hold that probation revocation proceedings are civil, not criminal, in nature. See People v. Williams,
In this case, the appellate сourt, relying on Murphy, as well as Bell, Martin, and Neckopulos, held that the self-incrimination privilege under article I, section 10, is inapplicable to probation revocation proceedings. 319 111. App. 3d at 588-91. In so doing, the appellate court recognized that in McNairy, an appellate panel in another district held that under the Illinois Constitution a probation revocation proceeding is a “criminal case” in which a person may not be compelled to give evidence against himself.
On appeal to this court, defеndant urges us to follow McNairy and reject those appellate court opinions holding that probation revocation proceedings are civil proceedings. Defendant argues that our decisions in People v. Grayson,
Likewise, in Peterson, we held that collateral estoppel prohibited the State from challenging a finding that the defendant’s confession was involuntary at a subsequent probation revocation hearing. Peterson,
Relying upon People v. McCauley,
In McCauley, we clearly stated that “in the context of deciding State guarantees, Federal authorities are not precedentially controlling; they merely guide the interpretation of State law.” McCauley,
Defendant argues that his forced testimony at the probation revocation hearing incriminated him in other criminal proceedings in violation of article I, section 10. Specifically, he argues that his forced admission exposed him to an additional charge of indirect criminal contempt, which, in turn, exposed him to additional fines or punishment. See In re Marriage of Betts,
A court is vested with the inherent power to enforce its orders and preserve its dignity by instituting contempt proceedings. People v. Warren,
The State concedes that, although the right to self-incrimination applies in indirect criminal contempt proceedings (In re Marriage of Ruchala,
In Martin, the appellate court concluded that the State may call a defendant to testify at a probation revocation hearing to elicit testimony which would show that the defendant had violated conditions of his probation, “but which would not incriminate him in any other proceedings.” Martin,
Applying the above principles to the instant case, we find that defendant’s testimony at his probation revocation hearing was not a violation of defendant’s privilege against self-incrimination, under article I, section 10. Defendant did not face a realistic expectation that his testimony would subject him to indirect criminal contempt. Defendant’s testimony at the probation revocation hearing only impacted his probationary status and did not realisticаlly expose him to any further proceedings, such as indirect criminal contempt sanctions. We decline to depart from the well-reasoned decisions enunciated in Murphy, Martin and Bell.
In the instant case, defendant was never charged with contempt; thus, he did not incriminate himself in any additional proceeding. Further, the petition to revoke defendant’s probation only informed him that he violated probation when he left the county jail early on January 3, 2000, and left the county jail without cause on January 4, 2000.
Furthermore, we are unaware of any cases in which a defendant has had his probation revoked and been subject to indirect criminal contempt charges as a result of the probation revocation. Such a result is unheard of because of the stringent procedural burdens involved in charging and prosecuting a defendant for indirect criminal contempt. A person who is charged with indirect criminal contempt, unlike a probationer at a probation revocation hearing, is entitled to constitutional protections that are afforded to any other criminаl defendant. Betts,
Accordingly, we find that defendant’s testimony at his probation revocation hearing was not a violation of defendant’s right against self-incrimination, pursuant to article I, section 10.
I. Due Process
Next, defendant relies upon the due process clause of the Illinois and federal constitutions to argue that the State may not cаll a probationer as an adverse witness at a probation revocation hearing and force him to admit a probation violation. See U.S. Const., amends. V, XIV; Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 2. Defendant contends that calling him as an adverse witness is fundamentally unfair because it eliminates the State’s burden of proof, denies him the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses, and denies him the right to counsel. We apply a de novo standard of review. People v. Dilworth,
Due process concerns principles of fundamental justice and fairness. Gagnon,
In the context of revocation proceedings, the United States Supreme Court has outlined what process is due. See Black v. Romano,
Illinois affords procedural safeguards by statute. 730 ILCS 5/5 — 6—4(c) (West 2000). Under Illinois law, a probationer is entitled to notice of the petition charging the violation; a court hearing on the violation; the right to be heard in person; the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses; and the right to counsel in all circumstances. 730 ILCS 5/5 — 6—4(a) through (c) (West 2000); see also People v. DeWitt,
First, citing to People v. Steele,
In the instant case, the trial court did not assist the State with its burden of proof or surrender its responsibility as the trier of fact. See, e.g., Bell,
“Q. [Assistant State’s Attorney] And Miss Chezem [the outpatient counselor] had previously told you that you would only be going to classes one day a week, right?
A. [Defendant] Yes.
Q. Why did you let yourself — or sign yourself out the next day, January 4?
A. I just went out to my car and smoked a couple cigarettes and came back into the building.
Q. And you knew that you did not have an appointment at Prairie Center?
A. That’s right.”
Only the trial judge determined whether this conduct violated the terms of defendant’s probation. Therefore, we reject defendant’s contention that calling him as an adverse witness relieved the State of its burden of proof.
Additionally, although in this case the State called four witnesses to establish the probation violation, principles of due process do not prevent the State from calling a single witness, the probationer, to establish the violation. A probationer’s testimony does not necessarily establish the violation. See, e.g., Bell,
Second, defendant maintains that calling him as an adverse witness denies him the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses. See 730 ILCS 5/5 — 6—4(c) (West 2000). We fail to see how calling defendant as an adverse witness barred his right to confront and cross-examine. The record shows that defendant’s counsel was given the opportunity to cross-examine three witnesses called by the State. Furthermore, on redirect examination by defendant’s own counsel, defendant was given an opportunity to explain the circumstances of his conduct. Defendant’s contention that he was denied the right to confront and cross-examine presupposes that probation revocation proceedings are criminal in naturе. As we previously held, probation revocation proceedings are civil.
Last, defendant argues that he was denied the right to counsel. See 730 ILCS 5/5 — 6—4(c) (West 2000). Defendant associates the right to counsel with counsel’s advice concerning the decision to testify. Simply put, defendant states that the most important function of counsel is the giving of advice whether or not to testify. He argues that this function is rendered meaningless when, against the advice of counsel, he is forced to testify as an adverse witness. Again, defendant’s argument rests upon the contention that probation revocation proceedings are criminal proceedings, in which he has the right not to testify. In the case of a probation revocation hearing, the right to counsel exists to render other important assistance. For example, counsel may cross-examine the State’s witnesses, present witnesses on the defendant’s behalf, or expose weaknesses in the State’s evidence. In this matter, counsel offered this assistance. Defendant was not denied the right to counsel.
Accordingly, we find that defendant’s due process rights were not violated by compelling him to testify as an adverse witness for the State.
III. Day-for-Day Credit
After the trial court found that defendant violated the terms of his probation, defendant was resentenced to another four years’ intensive probation, including 364 days of work release to be served at the Vermilion County Public Safety Building. Relying upon People v. Welty,
As an initial matter, we reject defendant’s claim that he is entitled to day-for-day credit under the reasoning in Welty. Likе the appellate court below, we find that “the language used in Welty is confusing, [and] the result the court reached did not appear to grant the defendant 156 days’ credit for the 78 that he actually served in custody prior to sentencing.”
“Day-for-day” credit is a phrase used to describe the system of mandatory “good conduct credit” contained in section 3 — 6—3 of the Unified Code of Corrections. 730 ILCS 5/3 — 6—3 (West 2000); see also People v. Gooden,
Turning to section 3 — 6—3 of the Unified Code of Corrections, we find that it does not support defendant’s claim that the trial court was required to award him day-for-day credit for time served in pretrial custody against the later term of periodic imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/3— 6 — 3(a)(2.1) (West 2000). Section 3 — 6—3 of the Unified Code of Corrections applies only to inmates in the Department of Corrections. See 730 ILCS 5/3 — 6—3(a)(1) (West 2000) (“rules and regulations for the early release on account of good conduct of persons committed to the Department”); 730 ILCS 5/3 — 1—2(e) (West 2000) (“ ‘Department’ means the Department of Corrections of this State”). Defendant is not an inmate in the Department of Corrections, but rather is confined to the Vermilion County Public Safety Building, a county facility. The County Jail Good Behavior Allowance Act (730 ILCS 130/1 et seq. (West 2000)) governs the diminution of sentence of prisoners in county facilities. Therefore, section 3 — 6—3 does not apply.
Even if we were to conclude that defendant’s confinement to a county facility did not affect his eligibility for good-conduct credit contained in section 3 — 6—3, defendant would still be ineligible to receive credit because he was confined to “periodic imprisonment.” “A sentence of periodic imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment during which the committed person may be released for periods of time during the day or night or for periods of days, or both ***.” 730 ILCS 5/5 — 7—1(a) (West 2000). Defendant’s sentence of 364 days of work release is a sentence of “periodic imprisonment.” Section 5 — 7—1(d) states, “[n]o sentence of periodic imprisonment shall be subject to the good time credit provisions of Section 3 — 6—3 of this Code.” 730 ILCS 5/5 — 7—1(d) (West 2000).
Further, because we find that the County Jail Good Behavior Allowance Act governs
CONCLUSION
For the forgoing reasons, the judgment of the appellate court affirming the trial court judgment is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Concurrence Opinion
specially concurring:
I join in the result reached by the majority because the State did not charge defendant with indirect criminal contempt and the circuit court did not impose any punishment for contempt upon defendant. I do so with the understanding that where the Stаte calls a defendant as an adverse witness at a probation revocation hearing, the defendant’s answers may not be used to support a finding of criminal contempt.
At least two Illinois courts have held that sentencing for contempt of court is a proper sanction for a violation of probation. See People v. Gallinger,
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting:
Article I, section 10, of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 provides: “[n]o person shall be compelled in a criminal case to give evidence against himself ***.”Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 10. For the reasons set forth in my dissenting opinion in People v. Miller,
Because Lindsey’s privilege against self-incrimination was violated when he was compelled to testify, we should reverse the appellate court’s judgment affirming the order of the circuit court which revoked Lindsey’s probation and resentenced him. The cause should be remanded to the circuit court for a new probation revocation hearing. We should further hold that the circuit court may not require Lindsay to take the witness stand at the new hearing and that it is prohibited from making any presumptions based on the absence of testimony by him. See 725 ILCS 5/115 — 16 (West 2000) (in a criminal case or proceeding, a defendant’s “neglect to testify shall not create a presumption against [him]”).
For the foregoing reasons, I dissent.
JUSTICE KILBRIDE joins in this dissent.
