What is a motion to suppress in a criminal trial?

A motion to suppress is a legal request made during a criminal trial that seeks to prevent specific evidence from being presented in court on the grounds that it was obtained in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights, particularly those protected under the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable searches and seizures. This mechanism is crucial because it helps to ensure that evidence presented during a trial adheres to legal standards and protects individuals from unlawful governmental actions.

In practice, if a law enforcement officer obtained evidence through illegal means—such as without a proper warrant or probable cause—a defendant can file a motion to suppress that evidence. If the court grants this motion, the evidence cannot be used against the defendant during the trial, which can significantly affect the outcome of the case. This emphasizes the importance of lawful policing practices in gathering evidence and upholds the integrity of the judicial process.

The other options pertain to different legal requests: seeking decreased sentencing, dismissing the entire case, or ensuring the trial is public, none of which align with the specific function of a motion to suppress.