People v. Cooper

Summary

The Illinois Supreme Court held that the statutory 48-hour deadline for a pretrial detention hearing is directory, not mandatory, and that a violation does not automatically require dismissal of the detention petition or release of the defendant. The defendant forfeited his timing objection by failing to object specifically to the Monday-afternoon setting, and he neither alleged nor demonstrated prejudice from the brief delay. The court therefore reversed the appellate court and affirmed the circuit court; it reached the merits under the public-interest exception despite the appeal becoming moot after the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced.