Stipulations are not set in concrete

Prosecution and Procedure

By David J. Robinson

David J. Robinson is a lawyer, adjunct professor, author and chief deputy director for the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor.

Posted September 13, 2018 10:39 AM

Stipulations have become commonplace in Illinois criminal courts, and for good reason. Stipulations, if done correctly, can often eliminate issues on appeal, make proceedings more understandable and synthesize a case for the fact-finder. For these reasons, stipulations ought to be encouraged whenever appropriate.Black’s Law Dictionary defines “stipulation,” in pertinent part, as a “[v]oluntary agreement between opposing counsel concerning disposition of some relevant point so as to obviate need for …

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