People v. Ringland

Defendants were each charged separately of felony drug offenses as a result of evidence obtained following traffic stops conducted by State's Attorney's special investigator in LaSalle County. State's Attorney's Felony Enforcement ("SAFE") unit's conduct falls well outside duties contemplated by Section 3-9005(b) of Counties Code, which grants State's Atotrneys authority to appoint a special investigator. Failure to comply with fingerprint requirements of statute meant that this special investigator was not authorized to act as a peace officer on date of incidents. Thus, court properly granted motions to suppress. (LYTTON and O'BRIEN, concurring.)