Pretrial hearings in criminal prosecutions are held for many reasons. For example, a pretrial hearing might address issues of bail or scheduling.
Pretrial hearings also address motions filed by defense attorneys. Sometimes those motion hearings result in an order dismissing the case. In other cases, the judge might order that critical evidence cannot be used against the defendant. Those rulings often force the prosecution to dismiss the charge, because they cannot win the case without that evidence.
Dismissal Motions
Motions to dismiss domestic violence charges are common. They aren’t usually granted, but careful lawyers file them whenever a ground for dismissal has arguable merit if only to create more work for prosecutors and to preserve grounds for appeal.
In some cases, however, creative criminal defense attorneys are able to craft motions that persuade the court to dismiss the charges. Examples of grounds upon which a dismissal motion might be based include:
- Double jeopardy
- Expiration of statute of limitations
- Prejudicial delay in bringing charges
- Speedy trial violations
- Failure to allege all elements of the crime in the charging document
- Lack of jurisdiction
- Serious police misconduct
- Serious prosecutorial misconduct
Some dismissal motions are based on the law and the documents in the court record. Others require the court to hear evidence at a pretrial hearing. When a judge grants the motion, the case is dismissed.
Sometimes a defendant can be recharged after a case is dismissed. More often, prosecutors decide it isn’t worth investing more time and energy in a case that might end in another dismissal. And some grounds for dismissal prevent the prosecution from filing the charge again.
Suppression Motions
A motion to suppress evidence asks a court to exclude evidence at trial. When the evidence is important, the prosecution might not have enough other evidence to prove guilt. In those cases, the prosecutor is forced to dismiss the charge.
Suppression motions are an important tool in a domestic violence lawyer’s arsenal. Most suppression motions are based on the claim that the police obtained evidence by violating a defendant’s constitutional rights. Examples include:
- Stopping a vehicle without having a reasonable suspicion that the driver violated the law
- Stopping a pedestrian without having a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime
- Conducting a frisk or pat-down for weapons without having a reasonable suspicion that the person being frisked is armed
- Searching a person who is not under arrest
- Arresting an individual without having probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime
- Searching a vehicle without having probable cause to believe it contains evidence of a crime
- Searching a home without a search warrant
- Entering a home to arrest an individual without having an arrest warrant
- Conducting a more extensive search than the warrant authorizes
- Conducting a search in an unreasonable way
Judges decide suppression motions after considering the evidence presented at a pretrial hearing. The key to winning a suppression motion that will lead to the dismissal of the case is careful preparation and a thorough understanding of the law.
Those facing charges would be best served by contacting an experienced domestic violence attorney they trust to represent them in court. Call to speak with a Law Offices of Randy Collins attorney and get help.