102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB0153

 

Introduced 2/9/2021, by Sen. Linda Holmes

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
725 ILCS 5/Art. 113A heading new
725 ILCS 5/113A-1 new

    Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed attorney-at-law of the State or a law student as a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog. Provides that the advocate may: (1) monitor the case; (2) consult any person with information that could aid the court and review records relating to the condition of the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but not limited to, records from animal control officers, veterinarians, and police officers; (3) attend hearings; and (4) present information or recommendations to the court pertinent to determinations that relate to the interests of justice, provided that information shall be based solely on the duties undertaken under this provision. Defines "law student".


LRB102 02605 RLC 12608 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB0153LRB102 02605 RLC 12608 b

1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 is
5amended by adding Article 113A as follows:
 
6    (725 ILCS 5/Art. 113A heading new)
7
ARTICLE 113A. SPECIAL ADVOCATES

 
8    (725 ILCS 5/113A-1 new)
9    Sec. 113A-1. Special advocates.
10    (a) In a prosecution of a case involving the injury,
11health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on its own
12motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed
13attorney-at-law of this State or a law student as a special
14advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the
15court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the
16health or safety of the cat or dog.
17    (b) The advocate may:
18        (1) monitor the case;
19        (2) consult any person with information that could aid
20    the court and review records relating to the condition of
21    the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but
22    not limited to, records from animal control officers,

 

 

SB0153- 2 -LRB102 02605 RLC 12608 b

1    veterinarians, and police officers;
2        (3) attend hearings; and
3        (4) present information or recommendations to the
4    court pertinent to determinations that relate to the
5    interests of justice, provided that information shall be
6    based solely on the duties undertaken under this
7    subsection (b).
8    (c) In this Section, "law student" means a law student
9licensed under Supreme Court Rule 711 or attached to a legal
10aid bureau, legal assistance program, organization, or clinic
11chartered by this State or approved by a law school approved by
12the American Bar Association.