Motion Practice

• Author: Deja Vishny
• Pages: 93-118

SUPPRESSING CRIMINAL EVIDENCE2-1§2:03

CHAPTER 2: Motion Practice

I. Before the Hearing

A. Develop a Legal Theory

§2:01 Decide What Issues to Raise

Once you get a case and review it, it is time to begin drafting motions. Ideally, you will have reviewed the discovery,

interviewed your client, interviewed defense witnesses and conducted whatever other defense investigation needs



challenges, you may have to draft your motions without completing these preliminary steps.





issue in depth and determine how the facts in your particular case intersect with the law.

Practice Point

Many times, you will be presented with a reasonable plea offer from a prosecutor who does

not feel like litigating the motion because she’s too busy or she’s afraid to lose. Do not let







served with a subpoena or disregard it, resulting in the granting of the motion, the dismissal

of the case, or a better plea offer. Even in cases in which your research suggests you

have little chance of prevailing, there is an opportunity for discovery and cross-examining



motion, the prosecutor may realize the trial evidence isn’t as strong as she presumed and

make a good (or better) plea offer because of what she heard. Even when your case looks

hopeless on its face, this is a fruitful area of litigation, and you can often achieve great

results for your clients in suppression motion hearings. Bottom line: Unless the motion is



things come to clients whose lawyers are aggressive litigators.

§2:02 Share Ideas with Colleagues

In addition to reviewing a motions checklist, it is helpful to brainstorm issues with your colleagues. This is sometimes

challenging for solo practitioners, but most states have local criminal defense associations that maintain listserves



               





listserv called Defendernet, in which both staff and private bar lawyers participate.

§2:03 Do Your Research





broad constitutional principles, such as Miranda v. Arizona and Terry v. Ohio



preferably in your jurisdiction, that are on point and will guide the judge to a favorable decision in your case.





Miranda, look carefully at the

 2-2§2:04





                

practice guides with sample motions and briefs that are pertinent to the law in your jurisdiction. Learned treatises on

Search

and SeizureSearch and Seizure are two excellent resources. Be sure to look at the updates









Online blogs also may point you in the right direction. New blogs are cropping up all the time so using a general



of long standing blogs or websites you can use for research are:

• www.fourthamendment.com

• www.privacylaw.proskauer.com/articles/fourth-amendment/

• www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/

• www.scotusblog.com/

• www.aclu.org/criminal-law-reform/search-and-seizure





§2:04 Cope with Adverse Law



that “a lawyer shall not knowingly fail to disclose to the tribunal legal authority in the controlling jurisdiction known

to the lawyer to be directly adverse to the position of the client.” This rule applies even when opposing counsel

neglects to cite the law that would support his position. The comment to the rule notes that “Legal argument based on





stated in paragraph (a)(2), an advocate has a duty to disclose directly adverse authority in the controlling jurisdiction

that has not been disclosed by the opposing party.”

It is easy to be tempted to ignore this rule when you are writing and arguing motions, reasoning that you are not going



that you have misrepresented the law and you will forever lose your credibility before that court and probably others



the case and explaining to the court why the facts in your case can be distinguished and the case law is inapplicable

to your particular client.





you are under no obligation to cite it and to do so would be to undermine your duty to zealously advocate on behalf



adverse case, and be ready to provide the court with a reason that another jurisdiction’s case law should be rejected.

B. Draft Motions





routine of sending an email out soliciting motions (e.g., “Does anyone have a motion to suppress a car search?”). The

