Prosecutors have a difficult job. They must take complicated situations and make them accessible to jurors. They must evaluate the evidence obtained by police officers and investigators to determine if a crime occurred and who committed the offense. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant broke the law. Meeting that legal standard is more challenging than people realize. Frequently, prosecutors require numerous types of evidence to build a credible case in criminal court.
The suppression of any individual piece of evidence could significantly weaken the prosecutor’s case and reduce the chances of a criminal conviction. Defendants facing criminal charges often work with lawyers to suppress evidence.
What scenarios may justify the suppression of specific evidence?
Mistakes by police officers
Illegal conduct and civil rights violations by police officers can affect the usefulness of evidence. Law enforcement professionals need to ensure they uphold the civil rights of suspects and follow appropriate procedures when investigating alleged criminal activity.
Unlawful searches and Miranda violations are among the more common civil rights violations that can impact a criminal case. Proof of misconduct or a violation of a defendant’s rights can allow an attorney to invoke the exclusionary rule. They can ask the courts to suppress ill-gotten evidence.
Errors when handling evidence
The other common reason that defense attorneys successfully suppress evidence relates to the credibility of the evidence. Perhaps the crime scene remained unsecured for days after an alleged incident occurred. Maybe there are gaps in the chain of custody for forensic evidence that could lead to claims of tampering or contamination.
When there are issues regarding the collection, storage or analysis of evidence, those technical mistakes can render the evidence less credible. Defense attorneys with proof that there were issues with how the state managed evidence could ask the courts to suppress the compromised evidence.
The suppression of some evidence can lead to the courts dismissing charges in certain cases. Other times, the suppression of some evidence strengthens the defense’s position during trial. Reviewing the state’s evidence can be a critical step for those facing pending criminal charges. In cases where evidence suppression is possible, defendants may have a better chance of avoiding a conviction.