Criminology Term: Suppression Hearing
In criminology, a suppression hearing is a legal proceeding in which a judge determines whether certain evidence should be excluded from a criminal trial.
The purpose of a suppression hearing is to determine whether the evidence was obtained illegally or in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights, and whether its use at trial would be unfair or prejudicial to the defendant.
During a suppression hearing, the defense may argue that the evidence was obtained through an unlawful search and seizure, or that the defendant was coerced or denied their legal rights during the investigation.
The prosecution, in turn, will argue that the evidence was obtained lawfully and should be admissible at trial.
If the judge rules in favor of the defense and suppresses the evidence, it cannot be used against the defendant at trial. This can significantly weaken the prosecution's case and may even result in the charges being dropped or reduced.
Suppression hearings are an important part of the criminal justice system because they help to ensure that evidence is obtained lawfully and that defendants are treated fairly and with respect for their legal rights.
They are typically conducted before a trial and can have a significant impact on the outcome of a criminal case.
