People v. Mallett

Defendant was found guilty of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and sentenced to two years’ probation. On appeal, defendant argued that the trial court erred in denying her motion to quash and suppress because the police lacked probable cause to search her vehicle and that the State failed to present sufficient evidence that she constructively possessed the gun recovered from her car. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the officers had probable cause to search the vehicle when narcotics were in plain view and that a rational trier of fact could conclude that defendant had knowledge of the presence of a gun in her locked glove compartment. (FITZGERALD SMITH and ELLIS, concurring)