What is the purpose of a motion to suppress evidence in criminal cases?

The purpose of a motion to suppress evidence in criminal cases is to remove evidence that has been collected in an unlawful way. This means that if a defendant can prove that evidence against them was gained through an illegal search and seizure, then the evidence may be removed from the case. In Massachusetts, it is up to the judge to determine whether or not the motion stands. The court will look at the details of the situation to decide if the evidence should be suppressed. A defendant may also use a motion to suppress evidence if they believe that the evidence itself is illegally obtained. If the defendant can prove that the police used a coerced confession, made false statements, or in any way violated the rights of the defendant, then the evidence collected would be considered inadmissible and the court would throw it out. In Massachusetts, the defendant is not only able to challenge the legality of the search and seizure, but also the reliability of any testimony that may have been used to collect the evidence. The court will then determine if the evidence should be suppressed. The purpose of a motion to suppress evidence is crucial in providing defendants with the chance to have any evidence that was collected in an unlawful manner thrown out of court. This ensures that defendants are protected from having evidence that violates their rights used against them in court.

Related FAQs

What is the purpose of a criminal complaint?
What are the rules of self-incrimination in criminal cases?
What is the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial?
What are the differences between direct and circumstantial evidence in criminal trials?
What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter?
What is the purpose of an appeal in criminal cases?
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
What are the rules of evidence to be presented in criminal cases?
What are the elements of a crime?
What are the different stages of criminal procedure?

What is the purpose of a motion to suppress evidence in criminal cases?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts