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To protect your liberties, it is crucial that you understand your constitutional rights. One constitutional safeguard is against “unreasonable searches and seizures,” under the Fourth Amendment. Your privacy cannot be violated, except under very specific circumstances. Police must have your express permission, probable cause that you committed a crime, or a warrant to search you, your belongings, or your property. They can then seize any contraband items, such as guns or illegal drugs. They can use this to charge you with a weapons crime or a drug crime. A prosecutor can then use these seized items as evidence against you. If the search for or the taking of any of this proof was illegally done, however, then the objects found cannot be kept as evidence.
There are many instances, however, where the 4th Amendment does not apply. For example, the Constitution only protects your privacy when there is reason to expect privacy. If an officer sees a gun in the front seat of a car, he or she needs no further justification to seize that weapon. Now, if cameras were installed in a public restroom, then there is a very reasonable expectation of privacy that is being violated, and the Fourth Amendment would come into effect in this case. If a suspect claims that he or she believes the front of their car is private, however, this will not hold up. This is not a societally recognized expectation of privacy, and the Fourth Amendment would not protect this individual from having something taken from their front seat.
It is also important to note that this law only offers defense from government intrusion. Private security officers are not bound by the Fourth Amendment. So if non-government security person acts on a baseless suspicion, searches someone, and finds weapons, this can be used as evidence.
That being said, the Fourth Amendment offers very real protection. If it is discovered that the police committed an illegal search and seizure, then whatever evidence they found in the search and any evidence based on those illegal finds, can be thrown out of court. For example, if police used an illegal search to find a map to where stolen money was stashed, and they find the money based off of this, both the map and the recovered funds cannot be admitted in court as evidence. This may not necessarily dismiss charges, but it can significantly reduce the prosecution’s ability to present a case. This is a constitutional safeguard that just may be able to defend your freedom.
When you need to protect your constitutional rights, our team of criminal defense attorneys in Delaware, Ohio can fight for you. We personally investigate and scrutinize our clients’ cases. If you need help defending against criminal charges or upholding your rights, please do not hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Brian Jones, LLC.
Brian Glen Jones graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelors Degree in Politics and Government. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from the University Of Akron School Of Law. Brian has been a lifelong resident of Ohio. Brian is licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio and before the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio.
Calling a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer before speaking to law enforcement is the best way to protect your future. Our attorneys will work to minimize or eliminate the possibility of jail time, a prison sentence, probation, hefty fines and a permanent criminal record. Call us now at 740-363-3900 to schedule your appointment with one of the firm’s knowledgeable attorneys.
Our team of criminal defense attorneys know how to fight your charges aggressively. They will do everything they can to get the best possible outcome for your case. The sooner you start building a defense against your charges, the better.
You can schedule your appointment by calling us at 740-363-3900 or by using the contact form. Se habla español.
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