The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
— Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution strictly controls the ability of law enforcement officers to stop people, to search their person or property, and to seize anything they find. If the police crossed the line when arresting you on drug charges, the evidence they collected may be suppressed and the charges dismissed.
At the Annapolis law firm of Cochran & Chhabra, LLC, our attorneys have obtained exceptional results for clients charged with drug crimes. We have obtained dismissals and acquittals based on illegal drug search and seizure. We have also negotiated favorable plea bargains based on weaknesses in the state's case. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation.
Defense Against Illegal Search And Seizure In Drug Cases
Under the Fourth Amendment, police cannot stop you without reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime. In other words, police cannot stop you simply because you look suspicious; the officer must be able to identify specific facts or circumstances to stop you under reasonable suspicion. Having stopped you, police cannot search your person, vehicle or property without probable cause. Probable cause is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion.
While the Fourth Amendment protects you against unreasonable search and seizure, the law is constantly evolving as courts make new rulings. Since the tragedy of 9/11, the Patriot Act has given police sweeping new powers to conduct surveillance on citizens, even for crimes that have nothing to do with terrorism. To protect your rights, it's important to put your case in the hands of an attorney who is up-to-date on search and seizure case law.
Our lawyers will analyze the circumstances of the arrest and exhaust every avenue to suppress evidence that is harmful to your case. Even if you gave police permission to search your vehicle or property, our lawyers will look for mitigating factors such as intimidation or coercion.
Contact A Maryland Drug Crime Attorney
We will work very hard to protect you from police misconduct in drug cases. For a free consultation, call the attorneys at Cochran & Chhabra, LLC, day or night at 410.268.5515 or 888.268.5515, or contact us online. Se habla español.
