Suppression Motion

A suppression motion — formally called a Motion to Suppress Evidence — is a legal request asking the court to exclude specific evidence from trial because it was obtained in violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights, most commonly the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Grounds for a Suppression Motion

Evidence may be suppressed if it was obtained without a valid warrant and no exception applies, if the warrant was defective or based on false information, if police exceeded the scope of a lawful search, if a confession was obtained without Miranda warnings, or if evidence was discovered as a result of an illegal stop or arrest.

The Exclusionary Rule and Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

The exclusionary rule prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence at trial. The fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine extends this — any evidence discovered as a direct result of the illegal conduct is also suppressed, even if that secondary evidence was otherwise lawful to collect.

Impact on Your Case

A successful suppression motion can eliminate the prosecution’s key evidence, often leading to reduced charges or full dismissal. This is one of the most powerful tools in a criminal defense attorney’s arsenal.