Lawyer's Failure to Make Closing Arguments Example Cases

In People v. Wilson, 392 Ill. App. 3d 189, 201-202, 911 N.E.2d 413, 424, 331 Ill. Dec. 592 (2009), the court found ineffective assistance of counsel where trial counsel failed to make any closing argument. Wilson, 392 Ill. App. 3d at 201-02. In People v. Spann, 332 Ill. App. 3d 425, 439-40, 773 N.E.2d 59, 72, 265 Ill. Dec. 697 (2002), the court held that counsel was ineffective based upon the cumulative impact of counsel's failure to present a motion to dismiss the indictment, failure to present a motion to suppress evidence, failure to present an opening statement, failure to call any witnesses, failure to present any evidence, and failure to test the credibility of the State's only witness. Spann, 332 Ill. App. 3d at 439-40, 444.