What does Suppression Hearing mean?

Drivers may have their rights violated if a law enforcement officer does not have probable cause to stop them and request a field sobriety test or performs an illegal search of their car. If a driver's rights have been violated, the defending attorney may request that the information or evidence which was gathered against them be inadmissible in court. The hearing to review the suppression request is called a suppression hearing and can be held anywhere from 6 to 3 months after the pretrial conference. Witnesses and police officers may be required to provide additional information to the judge so the judge can make their decision. At the suppression hearing the judge may determine that evidence is inadmissible and the inadmissibility of the evidence can significantly weaken the prosecution's case.