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

A motion to suppress evidence in criminal defense law in Arkansas is a legal argument made by a defense lawyer during a criminal trial that a piece of physical or testimonial evidence should not be considered by the jury. This type of motion is based on the idea that the evidence in question is inadmissible because it was obtained in an unconstitutional manner. Such motions may challenge the legality of the police investigation, the arrest, or the search and seizure of the evidence leading up to the criminal case. In criminal defense law in Arkansas, motions to suppress evidence can be based on several different grounds, including violations of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens against unlawful searches and seizures. For example, if the police obtained evidence of a crime without obtaining a search warrant or if they used excessive force during the arrest, a defense lawyer may argue that the evidence should be suppressed because it was retrieved by unlawful means. If the motion to suppress evidence is successful, it means that the evidence cannot be used during the criminal trial. This can be a powerful tool for defense attorneys, as it can mean the difference between a guilty verdict or having the charges dismissed. It also puts pressure on prosecutors to consider dropping the charges if the evidence is thrown out.

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