If you’ve been charged with a crime, how the police obtained their evidence matters. Under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. When law enforcement crosses the line, the evidence they collect may not be admissible in court.
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we know how to challenge improper police conduct. If you have been arrested after an illegal search and seizure in Arundel County or the surrounding area, you can depend on us to protect your rights. Contact our office today to discuss your case in confidence.
What Is an Illegal Search?
Not every police search is legal. Officers must follow strict rules when entering your home, pulling you over, or going through your belongings. In most situations, they need either a warrant signed by a judge or an apparent legal reason to act without one. If they don’t have either, the search may violate your rights.
Some examples of illegal searches include:
- Searching your home without a valid warrant or your permission
- Searching your car after a traffic stop without probable cause
- Looking through your phone or personal computer without consent
- Conducting a pat-down or search for drugs without a clear threat or justification
Even if an officer believes you’re involved in a crime, that alone doesn’t give them the right to search you or your property. The law imposes limits to protect privacy and prevent overreach.
What Happens If the Search Was Illegal?
When evidence is obtained through an illegal search, your attorney can ask the court to throw that evidence out. This is known as filing a motion to suppress. If the judge agrees, the prosecution may lose key parts of its case.
For example, if drugs, weapons, or digital evidence were seized without following proper procedures, that material could be barred from trial. In many cases, that alone is enough to have charges reduced or even dismissed entirely.
That’s why it’s so important to review every detail of how a search occurred. Small missteps by police can have significant consequences in court.
Where These Violations Commonly Happen
We frequently see illegal searches happen during:
- Traffic stops where officers search a vehicle without consent or probable cause
- Home searches where no warrant exists or the warrant is too vague
- Phone or laptop seizures without a proper basis
- Drug-related cases involving K-9 units or forced searches
- Street encounters where people are stopped and searched without any apparent justification
If you’ve been charged after one of these situations, don’t assume the evidence against you is valid. Even if you were arrested, the case may not hold up once the facts are examined.
How Hartman Attorneys at Law Can Help
Our firm is built on a strong foundation of trial advocacy and constitutional law. We don’t take shortcuts. When you come to us with a search issue, we’ll immediately review the timeline, the officers’ actions, and the paperwork involved. If your rights were violated, we’ll raise that issue at every stage.
We’re known for filing motions to suppress that challenge improper searches. We don’t hesitate to cross-examine police officers and expose weaknesses in their testimony. Our attorneys bring years of courtroom experience to every case, and we apply that knowledge to protect our clients from unfair prosecutions.
Because these cases involve both state and federal legal standards, you need someone who understands how local courts approach Fourth Amendment issues. Our team comprises former prosecutors and attorneys with extensive backgrounds in criminal defense. We know how the other side builds its case—and how to take it apart when the law wasn’t followed.
Serving Clients in Annapolis and Across the Region
From our office in Annapolis, we represent individuals facing criminal charges across Anne Arundel County, the Eastern Shore, and the surrounding areas. Whether your case is in state or federal court, we’re prepared to defend your rights.
Illegal searches happen in many types of cases—from DUI arrests and drug crimes to complex white-collar investigations. If you believe the police searched you or your property without following the law, you need the powerful representation we provide. Contact us today to schedule a review of your case.