A lot of people in America know that they have constitutional rights but other than knowing that they have freedom of speech and freedom of religion they aren’t quite sure what the constitution does for them. One of the important aspects of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution is the protection against unlawful search and seizure. What this means in effect is that police officers have to follow certain rules when investigating crimes, or detaining and arresting individuals. For example an officer must have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to make a traffic stop, or other similar detentions, and to make an arrest an officer must have the requisite probable cause. Knowing your constitutional rights will help you know what you have to do and what you can refuse to do in regards to a police investigation.
The Constitution and Your Defense
Where these constitutional protections come into play for criminal charges is in the motion to suppress evidence. If the officers did not follow the rules when conducting the investigation, detention, and arrest then the court can throw out any evidence obtained through those illegal means. In most cases if this evidence is suppressed the prosecution is left with no case and the charges are dismissed. Motion to Suppress are normally filled with complicated and difficult arguments and because of that it can be very helpful to have an attorney to help you defend yourself and your constitutional rights.
St. George Criminal Defense Attorney – Motion to Suppress
If you are facing criminal charges and you believe that your constitutional rights may have been violated or that the police officers did not follow all the rules in your case then call St George Criminal Defense Lawyer today. Our attorneys have made many suppression arguments and know how to help you get the best outcome available. We offer free consultations and can help you understand the legal system and your likely outcomes, so call or email us today to set up an appointment.