Los Angeles Illegal Search + Seizure Defense Lawyer
When law enforcement officials suspect you of committing a crime, they will want to gather evidence to support their decision to charge you with a criminal offense. However, one of the founding principles of the American legal system is the protection of civilians from illegal searches and seizures of their property. Police officers must first obtain a warrant before searching or seizing your property in Los Angeles, which protects your right to privacy and compels government officials to have clear and legitimate reasons for invading your private residence.
If you were the victim of an illegal search or seizure, contact Los Angeles illegal search and seizure defense attorney Eric D. Davis for a free consultation at (909) 861-8075.
When is a Search + Seizure Deemed Illegal in Los Angeles?
Sometimes, however, suspects are subjected to illegal searches, and many times, these suspects are unaware that their rights have been violated. Los Angeles illegal search and seizure lawyer Eric D. Davis, Attorney at Law understands the nuances of search and seizure laws and is here to aggressively protect your privacy and your rights. If you are facing criminal charges and you think that you have been the victim of an illegal search, call us today to receive high-quality and trustworthy legal representation. Together, we will challenge the illegal search or seizure and help you receive a fair shot at your freedom.
When Do Police Need a Warrant to Search Your Property in LA?
Generally, a warrant is needed for law enforcement officers to search or seize property in your home, your computer, your phone, your car, or in bags that you carry. While police may ask you to consent to a search, it is important to know that you are not compelled to give your consent, and it is your right to ask them to obtain a warrant. The process for obtaining a warrant slows down the investigative process, and you may eventually need to allow police to search your property, but until the warrant is obtained, you have the right to your privacy.
Gray Areas of Search and Seizure
There are increasingly more exceptions to the requirement for a warrant, so having a trusted Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to protect your best interests is imperative for defending your privacy and freedom. For instance, a spouse may have given consent for police to search your house without a warrant while you were not present, or incriminating evidence was in plain sight when you spoke with a police officer. No matter the circumstances of the search and seizure, you have a right to understand your options and to know if your rights have been violated. Contact Eric D. Davis, Attorney at Law to get started.
Can Illegally Obtained Evidence Be Used Against You in Court in Los Angeles?
Under the exclusionary rule, evidence that is gathered from an illegal search or seizure may be excluded as evidence in a criminal proceeding. Your Los Angeles illegal search and seizure defense attorney will file a motion to suppress the evidence, as it was obtain through unlawful means. A judge will then decide whether the information can be used during the proceeding, as the search itself was invalid. A skilled criminal defense attorney will fight hard to convince the judge to dismiss any evidence obtained through unlawful methods.
Did Police Illegally Search and Seizure Your Property? Call Our LA Attorneys Today
There are clear search and seizure laws in place to protect civilian rights. If you believe your rights have been violated, or if an officer has performed an illegal search of your residence or property, call Los Angeles illegal search and seizure lawyer Eric D. Davis, Attorney at Law today at (909) 861-8075 to receive aggressive and effective legal representation. We assist clients in Los Angeles and surrounding California counties and make sure their rights are protected at all times.