What is a motion to suppress evidence in criminal defense law?

A motion to suppress evidence is a legal tool used in criminal defense law, specifically in the state of Washington. It is a process by which the defense seeks to have evidence, whether it be physical or testimonial, excluded from a criminal trial. The motion is presented to the court before the trial begins in the form of an argument. Typically, the argument will focus on the legality of the evidence and how it was obtained. The defense may argue that the evidence has been obtained in violation of the constitutional rights of the accused. This may be the case if the evidence was obtained using illegal search or seizure, or if it was gathered using a coerced confession. In some cases, the defense may argue that the evidence does not meet the criteria of reliability, meaning that it cannot be trusted. The court will then analyze the argument and decide on the matter. If the motion is granted, the evidence will not be admitted in a criminal trial and may not be used during the proceedings. This can be a powerful tool for those accused of a crime and can have a direct impact on the outcome of the case.

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What is a motion to suppress evidence in criminal defense law?

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