[path]: Home / Motions to Suppress in Maryland
[title]: Motions to Suppress in Maryland | Stops, Searches, Statements
[description]: Learn how suppression motions win Maryland criminal cases: traffic stops, searches, statements, body-worn camera, and lab issues.

Motions to Suppress in Maryland

Smart suppression work can exclude the stop, the search, or your statements - and that often flips a case from “seems tough” to “very winnable.” We attack reasonable-suspicion for stops, probable cause and warrant scope for searches, and voluntariness/Miranda for statements.

In court, judges decide initial admissibility; juries still weigh voluntariness beyond a reasonable doubt.

What a suppression motion really asks the judge to do

A motion to suppress asks the court to keep the State from using evidence obtained in violation of your rights.

In Maryland, the Declaration of Rights protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requires warrants based on probable cause supported by oath or affirmation, and forbids general warrants - warrants must particularly describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

Common Suppression Targets (and how we attack them)

Traffic stops (reasonable articulable suspicion or probable cause). We scrutinize the reason for the stop and whether police prolonged it without fresh, specific facts. An officer must be able to point to particularized facts supporting suspicion; simply “extending a stop" without new grounds is improper.

Search & seizure (probable cause, warrants, scope, exceptions). We look for stale or conclusory probable cause, bad warrant particularity, or overbroad execution. Article 26 requires sworn probable cause and bans general warrants - great leverage when affidavits are thin or the search exceeded the warrant’s scope.

Statements (Miranda & voluntariness). The judge decides admissibility first, but jurors still must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that any statement was voluntary before they can rely on it. If the statement was induced by threats, promises, or coercion, it should be rejected.

Body-worn camera (BWC). We demand full BWC, in-car video, and radio traffic. Missing or inconsistent footage often undercuts the claimed basis for the stop or the voluntariness of a statement.

Lab/testing reliability. We subpoena bench notes, calibration, and analyst worksheets. Gaps in chain-of-custody or method validation can sink test results - especially in drug cases and DUI.

Our Process (fast, focused, and built for hearings)

• Rapid evidence audit. We timeline the stop, search, and interview; compare reports to BWC; and map every claimed “fact” to actual proof.
• Targeted motions package. Separate motions for stop, search, and statement issues keep arguments clean and persuasive.
• Subpoenas & cross-examination. We pull body-cam, CAD, calibration, and lab materials; then build cross that exposes weak probable cause and coercive interview tactics.
• Local know-how. We litigate these motions across Prince George’s, Howard, and Anne Arundel. Learn more about our local work in Prince George’s County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County.

Quick Wins We Look For (real-world examples)

• “Drift” stops with no lane violation: vague observations without specifics often fail the reasonable-suspicion test.
• Prolonged stops: once the original task ends, officers need new articulable facts to justify that extension.
• Overbroad warrant execution: searching areas or devices not covered by the warrant runs into Article 26’s particularity requirements.
• Promises or pressure before questioning: voluntariness problems can keep statements out - and the jury must still be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt.

Why suppression changes outcomes

Exclude the stop and the search falls. Exclude the search and the contraband disappears. Exclude the statement and the State’s “story” collapses. Many cases resolve favorably once key evidence is suppressed - especially in gun cases, drug prosecutions, assault charges, and DUI matters.

Hearing Day: what to expect (Q&A style)

Q: Who decides if my statement comes in?

A: The judge decides initial admissibility; the jury must still find the statement voluntary beyond a reasonable doubt before using it.

Q: What’s the legal yardstick for a traffic stop?

A: Reasonable, articulable suspicion based on specific facts - not hunches. If officers extend a stop, they need new facts to justify that extension.

Q: What makes a search warrant vulnerable?

A: The affidavit in support of that warrant and any factual inconsistencies or premature execution of said warrants.

Related Pages & Resources

• Learn how we approach DUI defense and challenge stops, SFSTs, and breath testing.
• See our strategy in drug cases, including search challenges and lab workups.
• Explore defenses in gun charges, where vehicle stops and search scope often decide the case.
• Understand second-degree assault litigation and evidence issues.
• View firm performance on our Statistics page.

FAQs

Do most cases end after suppression?

Many resolve if critical evidence is excluded, but every case is fact-specific. We evaluate suppression angles in the context of your charges - whether DUI, drug, gun, or assault.

Can I file more than one motion?

Yes. Separate motions - stop, search, and statements - keep issues clean and increase your chances.

What if the officer says I “consented”?

Consent must be free and voluntary under the totality of circumstances. BWC, tone, and timing matter. (We obtain and review all recordings and CAD logs.)

Do juries hear voluntariness issues too?

Yes. Even if the judge lets a statement in, jurors still must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that it was voluntary before they can rely on it.

Ready to put pressure on the State’s evidence? Talk with a Maryland criminal defense lawyer about your suppression options, or go straight to our contact page for a free consultation.