People v. Smith

The issue here is whether a deputy sheriff’s warrant-less search of a small closed box found in the defendant’s motor vehicle violated the warrant requirements of the State (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, sec. 6) and Federal (U.S. Const., amends. IV, XIV) constitutions. The sheriff found cocaine and cannabis inside the box, and the defendant, Richard E. Smith, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and unlawful possession of cannabis (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 56V2, pars. 704, 1402(b)). The circuit court of Tazewell County denied the defendant’s motion to suppress…