Illinois Motion to Suppress Evidence: How AKL Legal, LLC Can Challenge Illegally Obtained Evidence
If you’re facing criminal charges in Illinois and believe the police obtained evidence improperly, you may have the power to keep that evidence out of court. This powerful legal tool—known as a motion to suppress evidence—can drastically weaken the prosecution’s case and may even lead to a dismissal or reduced charges.
At AKL Legal, LLC, our Grayslake, IL criminal defense attorneys aggressively challenge unconstitutional searches, improper arrests, and evidence gathered in violation of your rights. Understanding how motions to suppress work is the first step in protecting your freedom.
What Is a Motion to Suppress Evidence?
A motion to suppress is a formal request asking the court to exclude evidence obtained through violations of your constitutional rights, including:
Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth Amendment: Protection against self-incrimination
Sixth Amendment: Right to counsel
If the judge grants your motion, the prosecution cannot use the suppressed evidence at trial—often leaving them without enough proof to move forward.
Common Reasons to File a Motion to Suppress Evidence in Illinois
Under 725 ILCS 5/114-12, you may challenge evidence based on several grounds:
1. Illegal Search and Seizure (No Warrant)
If police searched you, your home, or your vehicle without a valid warrant or without a legal exception, any evidence recovered may be inadmissible.
2. Evidence Seized With an Invalid Warrant
Even when a warrant exists, it can still be defective. Evidence may be suppressed if:
The warrant lacked essential details
Police seized items not listed in the warrant
There was no probable cause
Officers executed the warrant improperly
3. Evidence Obtained Through Rights Violations
Examples include:
Searches conducted after an unlawful stop or arrest
Statements taken without Miranda warnings
Coerced confessions
Illegal wiretapping or surveillance
4. Chain of Custody Problems
If evidence was mislabeled, mishandled, contaminated, or stored improperly, its reliability is compromised and may be suppressed.
5. Invalid or Improperly Conducted Field Tests
Evidence from DUI or drug cases can be challenged if:
Field sobriety tests were performed incorrectly
Chemical samples were mishandled or contaminated
Breathalyzer machines were unmaintained or malfunctioning
Drug test results show chain-of-custody irregularities
Why You Need an Experienced Lake County Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyer
Motions to suppress are technical, demanding, and often the turning point in a criminal case. An experienced defense attorney at AKL Legal, LLC can:
Identify constitutional violations
Analyze police conduct
Spot weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence
Draft persuasive motions
Negotiate charges based on the likelihood of suppression
Fight aggressively inside and outside the courtroom
When your freedom is at stake, experience matters.
Call Grayslake Criminal DEfense Attorney AKL Legal, LLC Today
If you believe evidence in your case was obtained illegally, don’t wait. The sooner an attorney reviews your situation, the better your chances of suppressing harmful evidence and strengthening your defense.
Contact AKL Legal, LLC today for a free consultation. 847-262-9888. We are ready to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.
