Terrorist Suspect Seeks to Suppress Statements
Every defendant, regardless of the seriousness of their alleged offense, is entitled to the basic rights contained in the United States Constitution.
The Government is Hyper-Vigilant in the Prosecution of Terrorism, But a Strong Defense Lawyer Will Seek to Suppress an Illegally Obtained Statement
Terrorism is a fact of life in our society. We hear about it almost every night on the evening news and have concerns when traveling. No one wants to deal with the fear of terrorism. That having been said – the government is often hyper-vigilant with the investigation and prosecution of suspected terrorists. They are sometimes wrong. Sometimes, people are investigated under the guise of “terrorism” when the government is really investigating something unrelated, like drugs, weapons, or suspected gang activity. If law enforcement oversteps and violates a suspect’s rights, their lawyer can seek to suppress a statement so that it is not used in court as evidence.
Connection Between the 4th Amendment and Motions to Suppress
When police officers conduct an illegal search or seizure, skilled and experienced defense attorneys, such as those with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., will seek to suppress their client’s statement to the police. To do this, lawyers use Motions to Suppress to protect their clients’ constitutional rights. The Fourth Amendment shields citizens from unreasonable government intrusions, requiring officers and federal agents to obtain warrants based on probable cause before searching private property. Courts examine whether officers followed proper procedures when collecting evidence, and judges exclude illegally obtained evidence under the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine. This critical legal tool prevents prosecutors from using tainted evidence at trial, potentially resulting in dismissed charges when key evidence becomes inadmissible. Effective Motions to Suppress highlight specific Fourth Amendment violations, such as warrantless searches without exceptions, searches exceeding warrant scope, or stops without reasonable suspicion, demonstrating how these constitutional breaches directly affected the evidence in question.
4th Amendment Warriors
The attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have many years of experience dealing with criminal cases filed in the state and federal courts – where a terrorism charge would be brought. Being an international border city, Detroit is a high-risk target for terrorists and, therefore, on the government’s high watch list. Our attorneys are experts in federal criminal law and can protect a person charged with a crime from abuse by the federal government. If our client’s statement is illegally obtained, they can count on our team fighting to suppress the statement.
A Case Example
A case pending in the United States District Court in Manhattan involves Abu Anas al-Libi, a person suspected in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The suspect is seeking to suppress statements he allegedly made to U.S. officials because he made the statements as a result of torture. He alleges that investigators subjected him to unlawful, threatening, and abusive interrogation tactics. U.S. attorneys respond by saying al-Libi voluntarily waived his Miranda rights and has not alleged any concrete facts to support a constitutional violation; he assumes one exists. While we cannot speak to the facts in the Manhattan case, the attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. are not afraid to confront the government when there are constitutional violations and fight for the suppression of illegally seized evidence. A defense lawyer can seek to suppress a statement through a motion filed with the trial judge.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Will Seek to Suppress a Statement Illegally Obtained by Law Enforcement
Being suspected or charged with terrorism in our society is a big deal. It is a mark against a person’s character and can affect their entire life. It is essential that you have expert legal representation to guide you through the minefield of dealing with the federal government and its extreme desire to prosecute any person it even thinks supports or is involved in any type of “terrorism.” You must have someone standing next to you, assuring that your constitutional rights are protected and the government does not abuse you or your rights. If law enforcement crosses the line, it takes a strong, credible defense lawyer to seek and get a statement suppressed in court. Call us for a free consultation today!
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