Were Your Rights Violated in an Illegal Search and Seizure?

In the United States, the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This means that the government cannot search your person, property or belongings without a warrant or probable cause. Unfortunately, there are times when law enforcement officials overstep their bounds and violate citizens’ rights through illegal searches and seizures.

M. Qader A. Baig & Associates in Conyers, GA believes it is critical to understand your rights and options. If you are facing drug charges and believe your rights were violated in an illegal search and seizure, contact us today.

What Is an Illegal Search and Seizure?

An illegal search and seizure is one that is performed without a proper warrant or probable cause. The Fourth Amendment requires that law enforcement officials obtain a warrant from a judge before they can search your property or belongings. In some cases, law enforcement officials may be able to perform a search without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. However, if they do not have probable cause, any evidence obtained through a search may be inadmissible in court.

Examples of illegal searches and seizures include:

• Searching your car or home without a warrant or probable cause
• Searching your person without a warrant or probable cause
• Searching your workplace in violation of your reasonable expectation of privacy
• Seizing your property without a warrant or probable cause
• Seizing your property in connection with an arrest warrant
• Using evidence obtained through an illegal search and seizure against you in court

If you were present but not the subject of the search or arrest warrant, you could also have been arrested or had property illegally seized. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time is not a crime.

What Are Your Legal Options?

If your rights were violated in an illegal search and seizure, you may have legal options. M. Qader A. Baig & Associates in Conyers, can examine your circumstances to determine if law enforcement contradicted search and seizure guidelines and violated your constitutional rights. If so, here are some possible courses of action:

1. File a motion to suppress evidence: If evidence was obtained through an illegal search and seizure, M. Qader A. Baig & Associates may be able to file a motion to suppress the evidence. This means that the evidence could not be used against you.
2. File a civil lawsuit: You may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the law enforcement agency or officers involved in the illegal search and seizure. This could result in financial compensation for any damages you suffered as a result of the violation.
3. File a complaint with a civil rights organization: M. Qader A. Baig & Associates can also file a complaint on your behalf with a civil rights organization such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). These organizations may be able to provide additional assistance or advocate on your behalf.

Georgia Search & Seizure Guidelines Violations Attorney

If you believe your rights were violated in an illegal search and seizure, it’s important to take action. Contact M. Qader A. Baig & Associates in Conyers, GA for experienced representation to protect your rights, reputation and future.