The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday over what makes an Illinoisan an armed habitual criminal, as one citizen argues past crimes should not count due to age.
The law states that someone is determined as an armed habitual criminal if they possess a gun and have two prior qualifying convictions.
When the defendant Demetrius Gray was 16, he pleaded guilty in juvenile court to criminal trespass to a vehicle and was sentenced to probation, which he violated. Then, in 2001, the defendant pleaded guilty in juvenile court to battery and was again sentenced to probation, which he violated.
Representing the state, Michael Cebula argued that those convictions still count, regardless of when they occurred.
Audio PlayerCebula explained his reasoning.
Audio PlayerJustices took the case under advisement.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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