Camden Illegal Search & Seizure Lawyer
New Jersey and Pennsylvania have a number of laws that determine how police and federal investigators can collect evidence. When law enforcement fails to follow proper search and seizure procedure, the evidence they collect cannot be used in court. In Moorestown, The Law Office of Stephen R. Piper, LLC, we defend people against illegal searches and seizures.
Contact The Law Office of Stephen R. Piper, LLC
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, as well as provisions in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey State constitutions, protect individuals from unreasonable search and seizures. If a police officer, state trooper, or federal law enforcement officer searches your property without a valid search warrant that is supported by probable cause, than the evidence collected cannot be used against you in court.
In many instances, law enforcement officials make errors when attempting to collect evidence. If a mistake is made early in the process, it could be a sign of other flaws in the investigation, and lead to dismissal of the evidence.
Search and Seizure Issues Involving Vehicle Stops
In order to search your car, police must have probable cause to stop you in the first place, as well as probable cause to search your car. If you are pulled over for a minor infraction and the police decide to search your car based on sight or smell, they did not necessarily have probable cause.
Examples of improper search and seizure are also common in cases involving anonymous tips. If an officer goes to a house to ask a question and is told they cannot enter, then they are not allowed to go in. Any evidence collected from that point on cannot be used.
While you have the right to refuse consent regarding the search of your property, the police do not always need a warrant to conduct a proper search and seizure. In many cases, evidence in plain sight is enough for probable cause. If you believe that your constitutional rights have been violated, we can listen to your concerns and help you determine whether or not you were the victim of an illegal search and seizure.
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When building your defense, it is necessary to explore every possible defense to the charges. If you have been the victim of an illegal search and seizure, we will file a motion to suppress the evidence so it cannot be used against you in your case. From our offices in Moorestown, our lawyers offer flexible scheduling options for clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We accept credit cards and offer free off-street parking. Contact us today for a initial consultation.
