What is a motion to suppress?

• A. A request to allow all evidence at trial
• B. A request to prohibit the use of certain evidence
• C. A request to dismiss the case entirely
• D. A request for a faster trial

Answer: (B)

A motion to suppress is a legal request made by a defendant in a criminal case, aimed specifically at prohibiting the use of certain evidence that may have been obtained improperly or unlawfully. This motion is typically grounded in constitutional protections, such as the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, which can render evidence inadmissible in court.

When this motion is filed, the defendant argues that the evidence in question should not be presented at trial due to issues like lack of probable cause for a search warrant, illegal stops by law enforcement, or other violations of legal procedures. If the court grants the motion, the specified evidence can be excluded from the trial, potentially weakening the prosecution's case.

Understanding that a motion to suppress focuses solely on the admissibility of evidence clarifies the difference from other motions, such as those requesting the dismissal of a case or asking for procedural accelerations. This specificity is what makes the request to prohibit the use of certain evidence the correct choice.