Motion to Reconsider Sentence - Illinois
DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO RECONSIDER SENTENCE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, ILLINOIS
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| People of the State of Illinois, | Plaintiff |
| v. | |
| [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME], | Defendant |
Case No.: [________________] Judge: [________________]
Defendant [NAME], [through counsel / self represented], moves the Court to reconsider the sentence imposed on [__/__/____] and states:
- Defendant was convicted of [OFFENSE, STATUTE, AND CLASS] following ☐ trial ☐ a non-negotiated guilty plea ☐ other route supported by [AUTHORITY].
- The sentence imposed was [DESCRIBE SENTENCE AND RELEVANT COUNTS].
- The particular part of the sentence or sentencing hearing challenged is [IDENTIFY RULING OR ERROR].
- The challenge is supported by the following facts and record references: [STATE FACTS, TRANSCRIPT PAGES, AND EXHIBITS].
- The requested correction is [SPECIFY MODIFIED SENTENCE OR RELIEF] because [STATE LEGAL AND FACTUAL BASIS].
☐ Facts outside the existing record are relied on. Supporting affidavit or, if permitted by Rule 604(d), the correctional-institution certification is attached.
☐ This follows a guilty plea and counsel's Rule 604(d) certificate, prepared using the Article VI form, is attached.
For a felony sentence, 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-50(d) requires a written motion challenging the sentence or sentencing hearing to be filed with the circuit court clerk within 30 days of imposition. For a sentence after a guilty plea, Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(d) supplies the applicable postplea motion requirement. Defendant requests that the Court hear this motion and enter an order [SPECIFY DISPOSITION].
Date: [__/__/____]
Signature: _____________________________________________
Printed name: [DEFENDANT OR COUNSEL]
ARDC No., if counsel: [________________]
Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
Telephone: [________________] Email: [________________]
Notice of Motion
To: [STATE'S ATTORNEY / COUNSEL NAME AND ADDRESS]
Please take notice that Defendant will present this motion to Judge [NAME] in [COURTROOM OR REMOTE APPEARANCE DETAILS] on [__/__/____] at [TIME], or as the Court directs. This notice accompanies the motion under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-50(d).
Certificate of Service
I certify that on [__/__/____], I served this motion, notice, and attachments on [NAME] at [ADDRESS OR DESIGNATED EMAIL] by [METHOD].
Signature: _____________________________________________
Printed name: [________________]
About this template
- Last updated
- October 6, 2026
- Citations checked
- October 6, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Illinois
- Category
- Criminal Law
Legal authority
- 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-50(d) (written motion to reduce a felony sentence)
- Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(d) (postplea motion and appeal prerequisite)
- Ill. S. Ct. R. 606(b) (criminal notice-of-appeal timing after timely motion)
Criminal law paperwork covers every stage of a criminal case, from the first appearance and bail motion through pretrial motions, plea agreements, sentencing, and appeals. Deadlines in criminal cases are short and often unforgiving, and constitutional rights can be waived just by missing a filing. Using the right motion at the right time can mean the difference between evidence getting suppressed, charges getting reduced, or a case getting dismissed entirely.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on October 6, 2026.
730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-50(d) (checked October 6, 2026): "A defendant's challenge to the correctness of a sentence or to any aspect of the sentencing hearing shall be made by a written motion filed with the circuit court clerk within 30 days following the imposition of sentence. A motion not filed within that 30-day period is not timely. The court may not increase a sentence once it is imposed. A notice of motion must be filed with the motion."
730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-50(d), appeal effect (checked October 6, 2026): "If a motion filed pursuant to this subsection is timely filed, then for purposes of perfecting an appeal, a final judgment is not considered to have been entered until the motion to reduce the sentence has been decided by order entered by the trial court."
Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(d) (checked October 6, 2026): "No appeal from a judgment entered upon a plea of guilty shall be taken unless the defendant, within 30 days of the date on which sentence is imposed, files in the trial court a motion to reconsider the sentence, if only the sentence is being challenged, or, if the plea is being challenged, a motion to withdraw the plea of guilty and vacate the judgment."
Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(d), negotiated plea (checked October 6, 2026): "No appeal shall be taken upon a negotiated plea of guilty challenging the sentence as excessive unless the defendant, within 30 days of the imposition of sentence, files a motion to withdraw the plea of guilty and vacate the judgment."
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