People v. Hawkins

Johnnie Hawkins was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon. Hawkins filed a motion to suppress evidence, alleging that the police had engaged in a pretextual stop and that the subsequent search of defendant’s bag was not supported by probable cause. The motion was denied. On December 1, 1989, a stipulated bench trial was conducted, and the court found Hawkins guilty. Hawkins was sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections. On appeal he argues that his conviction must be vacated because his stipulated bench trial was tantamount to a guilty plea, and he was not…