People v. Gayton

This case presents question as to whether trial court properly denied defendant’s motion to suppress cannabis that was seized from defendant, who was passenger in vehicle stopped for alleged violation of section 3-413(b) of Ill. Vehicle Code, where parts of trailer hitch on vehicle obscured some numbers on license plate. Appellate Court, in reversing trial court, found that officer should not have stopped vehicle because section 3-413(b) only prohibits obstructive objects that are attached to license plate and does not pertain to obstructions, like trailer hitch, that are not attached to license plate. Appellate Court further noted that officer had conceded that he was able to clearly see entire plate once he had stopped and approached vehicle.