What is a motion to suppress?

A motion to suppress is a legal argument made by a defendant or their attorney requesting that certain evidence or statements made by the defendant be excluded from a trial. The motion argues that the evidence or statement was obtained by unlawful means, such as a violation of the defendant's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. The motion must be based on specific legal grounds and supported by evidence or testimony to be successful. If granted, the evidence or statement is deemed inadmissible and cannot be used against the defendant in the trial. A motion to suppress is often used in criminal cases and can significantly impact the outcome of a trial.