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California Motion to Suppress Evidence

In California, the prosecution can be prohibited from using any evidence that was gained illegally. This prohibition is not automatic – as the defendant, you must ask the court to suppress any illegally-obtained evidence. This request is made when your attorney files a formal motion to suppress evidence. It is important to understand when evidence can be suppressed and what happened after you file this motion. The results will significantly affect your criminal case and future.

What Evidence Can be Suppressed?

In San Diego, you have the right to ask a judge to exclude any evidence that was obtained in violation of your Constitutional rights. California Penal Code Section 1538.5 PC gives a defendant the right to “suppress as evidence any tangible or intangible thing” that the state has obtained as a result of an unreasonable a search or seizure. This definition encompasses all possible types of evidence that may be gathered during a criminal investigation, including:

  • Blood alcohol results
  • Drug test results
  • Physical property
  • Contraband, and
  • Verbal and written statements.

There may be a significant amount of evidence in your criminal case, so how will your attorney determine which evidence should be suppressed? Your attorney will file a motion to suppress any evidence that is tainted by an unlawful search. This evidence is often classified as “fruit of the poisonous tree.” Basically, this means that any evidence that the police generate and/or discover as a direct or indirect result of an unlawful search will be tainted, and therefore inadmissible. If there is a relationship between an illegal act by the police and the discovery of evidence, your attorney will argue that it is “fruit of the poisonous tree” and should be suppressed.

What Causes Evidence to Be Suppressed?

Any evidence, tangible or intangible, that is generated or discovered as the result of an “unreasonable” search and seizure can be thrown out by a court. What will cause a search or seizure to be “unreasonable” enough to warrant the suppression of evidence? A search or seizure may be considered unreasonable under Penal Code 1538.5 PC if:

  • The warrant is insufficient on its face, which means that it did not include all required and necessary information;
  • The evidence seized was not described in the warrant;
  • There was no probable cause to issue a search warrant;
  • The way the warrant was executed violated federal or state law.

Evidence can also be suppressed if police lacked probable cause to pull you over while driving or to make an arrest. Any evidence that is obtained after you are unlawfully pulled over or arrested should be suppressed.

Motion to Suppress Hearing

Your attorney will make a formal motion to suppress evidence before your case is tried in front of a jury. Arguments for this motion can be made during your arraignment or a dedicated suppression hearing. At the suppression hearing, your attorney will present testimony and evidence to convince a judge that evidence has been gained illegally and that it should be suppressed. The prosecution will also argue that the evidence should not be thrown out. The judge will weigh all relevant evidence, testimony, and arguments to make a decision.

The judge can approve your motion, deny your motion, or approve your motion in-part. If the motion is approved, the evidence must be excluded from your criminal case. The prosecution can accept this ruling and try to work out a plea deal with you or decide to appeal the trial court’s decision. If the motion is denied, your criminal case will continue as planned. You will have the option to appeal this trial court’s decision. If the motion is approved in-part, the judge has determined that some, but not all, of the evidence should be suppressed. Both you and the prosecution will have the ability to appeal this decision.

Can Suppressed Evidence Ever Be Used Against Me?

Yes. Just because evidence is suppressed in your criminal case it does not necessarily mean that it can never be used. The state may use suppressed evidence against you during:

  • Parole hearings;
  • Grand jury proceedings; and/or
  • Deportation hearings.

Have Your Rights Been Violated?

If you believe that you have been the victim of an unreasonable or unlawful search and seizure it is important to speak with an attorney. Any evidence that is obtained because of that unlawful search should be excluded from your criminal case. However, you will have to file a formal motion to suppress the evidence and back up your motion with solid legal arguments. Hiring an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney to handle your case will increase the likelihood of getting this evidence suppressed.

Call San Diego criminal defense attorney Vikas Bajaj today to learn about how he can help to keep harmful evidence out of your criminal case. During your initial consultation, we will review your case and determine which evidence should be suppressed. Getting evidence suppressed in your case can help to secure a reduction or dismissal of the charges against you. We will get to work on your motion as soon as you hire us, so do not hesitate to call.

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Evidence