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

A motion to suppress evidence in criminal defense law is a legal argument made by a defense attorney during a trial. It is an argument to the judge that certain evidence collected by law enforcement is not admissible in court and should not be used against the defendant. In Mississippi, a motion to suppress evidence must meet certain criteria under state law. First, the defense attorney must prove that the evidence was obtained illegally or in violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights. Second, the attorney must show that the evidence would be prejudicial and could harm the defendant’s case if used against him or her in court. In addition, the defense attorney must also prove to the judge that the evidence has no relevancy to the case. For instance, if the defendant is accused of a violent crime, and the evidence is only related to a minor infraction, then the judge may rule that the evidence is irrelevant and should not be used. If the motion to suppress evidence is successful, then the judge will prevent law enforcement from presenting the evidence in court. This can have a significant impact on the outcome of the case, as it may mean that the prosecution no longer has enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

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