People v. Matthews

Shinara Matthews, defendant, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (720 ILCS 5/24 — 1.6 (West 2002)). She filed a motion to quash her arrest and suppress evidence that was seized during a traffic stop. In the motion, she alleged that the arresting officer unlawfully exceeded the original purpose of the traffic stop (burnt-out license plate light) by questioning her about the contents of the car. The matter proceeded to an evidentiary hearing, and the judge ultimately granted defendant’s motion. The State filed this appeal. We affirm.

BACKGROUND

Defendant testified that on July 1,…