Not all evidence is admissible in court. Sometimes, a criminal court may suppress and exclude evidence obtained illegally or in violation of your legal rights despite the potential impact on your trial. It’s all in the best interests of justice, as the police must follow the law when discharging their duties.
When the court excludes evidence, it will not form part of the trial, and the prosecution cannot use it to prove your guilt. This could drastically affect the outcome of your case, as explained below.
Evidence can be suppressed for various reasons
As mentioned, the court may suppress evidence that the police acquired unlawfully. Such instances include evidence obtained through an illegal search and seizure, unlawful detention or even Miranda violations when the police fail to inform you of your rights prior to custodial interrogation.
Chain of custody errors can also render evidence inadmissible in court. A judge may suppress evidence if the police made mistakes when handling it, and there are chances it may have been tampered with, misplaced or contaminated while under their custody.
What is likely to happen when evidence is suppressed?
The potential outcomes or effects on your case depend on the weight or significance of the affected evidence. For example, it may be impossible for the prosecution to build a strong case without crucial evidence. As a result, they may choose to reduce or dismiss your charges. Alternatively, the court may find you not guilty of the charges against you.
However, it is not as simple and straightforward as it sounds. Suppressing evidence requires an intricate understanding of the law and other legal technicalities that may come into play when ascertaining the admissibility of evidence in court.
Therefore, it helps to have informed legal guidance in your corner as you prepare your defense. It could make a huge difference in your case and increase the odds of a desirable conclusion.
