People v. Smithers

This appeal concerns the admissibility of evidence obtained during a police “stop and frisk.” The defendant was found in possession of a pistol and charged with unlawful use of weapons. Prior to trial, the defendant filed a motion to suppress the pistol taken from him following a pat-down search. The Peoria County circuit court allowed the motion. The appellate court affirmed, with one justice dissenting. (75 Ill. App. 3d 883.) We granted the State leave to appeal under our Rule 315 (73 Ill. 2d R. 315). We find the search to have been reasonable and reverse the judgment of the appellate court.