People v. Wells

Summary

The court held that a statutory sentencing-relief provision for victims of domestic violence does not apply to a defendant sentenced under a fully negotiated guilty-plea agreement because the provision authorizes relief from a sentence, not from the conviction or plea. Although the circuit court violated procedural due process by dismissing the petition without giving the petitioner an opportunity to respond, the error was harmless because the claim was legally untenable and no further proceedings could have produced relief. The court therefore reversed the appellate court and affirmed the circuit court.