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

A motion to suppress evidence in criminal cases is a legal action that stops evidence used against a person accused of a crime from being used in court. This motion is typically filed when a person believes that the evidence used against them was gathered illegally or in violation of their constitutional rights. In Virginia, the purpose of the motion to suppress evidence is to protect the accused from unfair and illegal search and seizure of their property, communications and identity. This protects their Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. In criminal cases, the state or local government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed a crime. A motion to suppress evidence can be used when evidence used by the government to prove its case was obtained illegally. This motion is especially important for people accused of crimes because it keeps evidence out of the court that could be potentially damaging to their case and could lead to a conviction. The motion to suppress evidence is also an important tool for people to use as part of the criminal defense process. By filing a motion to suppress evidence, criminal defense attorneys can challenge the state and local government’s case against their clients and protect their rights under the law. When successful, motions to suppress evidence can make it more difficult for the government to prove its case against the accused and may even lead to a dismissal of the charges.

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

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