What is the appellate court’s scope of review for a trial court’s decision to grant or deny a motion to suppress evidence?

In West Virginia, the appellate court has the authority to review whether the trial court made a correct decision when it granted or denied a motion to suppress evidence. When a defendant files such a motion, the purpose is to challenge the legality of the evidence that was obtained by the police. The court will then consider arguments from both sides and decide whether the evidence should be admitted or excluded in court. The appellate court’s scope of review for such a decision is limited to the evidence that was presented during the trial court proceedings. The court will only review the facts that were presented to it and assess whether the decision made by the trial court was correct. The appellate court cannot substitute its opinion for the trial court’s and will only examine whether the decision was supported by the evidence. The appellate court will also review the decision to see if it was made within applicable rules of law. The court will examine whether the trial court correctly applied the law in making its decision. The appellate court will also consider the applicable constitutional protections that are in place for criminal defendants when reviewing the decision. In general, the appellate court is limited in its review of the trial court’s decision, examining only the evidence presented and the applicable law to ensure the decision was reasonable and supported by the evidence. The appellate court’s scope of review is limited to the facts and the law in order to ensure a fair and just resolution.

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