Illegal Search And Seizure Attorney

At the law firm of Sweeney & Associates, LLC, we aggressively protect the legal rights of clients who have been charged with all types of drug crimes. As your attorneys, we will fight to keep you out of jail, paying careful attention to critical issues related to the unlawful search and seizure of your property or your person. Unlawful search and seizure is prohibited by state and federal laws, and it is addressed strongly in the United States Constitution.

What Kinds Of Search And Seizure Are Illegal?

Police officers regularly conduct illegal searches and seizures of property and alleged drug paraphernalia. Recently, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) made significant rulings pertaining to marijuana and other drugs. Since the commonwealth's ballot initiative to decriminalize simple possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana passed in 2008, search and seizure laws have been changing:

• Police officers may no longer use the smell of marijuana from a car or residence as probable cause to conduct a full search.
• Police officers may not use the presence of 1 ounce of marijuana or less as probable cause to stop you or conduct a search of your property.
• Police officers may not detain you or otherwise influence your actions (without the presence of a drug dog) based solely on the smell of marijuana.
• Police officers may not search you if they witness you and another person exchanging money.

If the police violate your constitutional rights through illegal search and seizure, we will move to suppress any evidence (drugs) the police found as a result of their unlawful conduct. Often, once the evidence is suppressed, the prosecution has no choice but to dismiss your case.

Police Conduct Illegal Searches Despite the Laws

It is critical that you have a highly experienced drug crimes defense attorney on your side. Illegal search and seizure can be overlooked in your case without representation from a good attorney. Evidence may be allowed in the case that should be thrown out.

At Sweeney and Associates, LLC, we know exactly how to defend your case effectively. Based in Massachusetts, our attorneys have been representing people charged with drug crimes, weapons crimes, and other crimes based on illegal searches and seizures for over 20 years. We have succeeded in suppressing illegally obtained evidence and reducing criminal charges in Quincy, Canton, and across Massachusetts in dozens of cases.

Attorney Richard Sweeney is a retired Boston police sergeant detective of 13 years. He's a former commander of one of Boston's elite drug units, and for 10 years, he trained police officers statewide on drug crime investigations, arrests, evidence collection, and bookings. If there was a procedural flaw or illegal search in your case, we'll find evidence to prove it.

Gain Our Reliable Defense Today

Please contact us online or call us at (617) 300-0212 to speak with one of our Quincy criminal defense lawyers in a free consultation. Our representation is discreet, and we fully recognize that your reputation must be protected.

We are responsive 24/7, offer fixed and hourly billing rates, and accept all major credit cards. Let's talk about your unique circumstances.