Even if you have never been accused of a crime, you have probably heard of a search warrant. Search warrants are exactly what they sound like: judicial orders that give law enforcement officials legal authority to search a person, a person’s property or a person’s premises. But this is a very basic overview and understanding of search warrants. There is much more to the process of obtaining a search warrant, and there are penalties for failing to obtain one.
Legal assistance is extremely important if you have been accused of a crime, because properly understanding your rights can easily be the difference between a conviction and acquittal. Crucial evidence is often obtained by searching the property or possessions of someone accused of a crime, and when it comes to search warrants, there are probably questions you didn’t even know you were supposed to ask. This is why the help of an attorney can be so crucial.
If law enforcement officials find incriminating evidence in your house or car, for example, but they did not have a search warrant, the evidence could be thrown out of the case. In some cases, search warrants are very specific about what they allow, so it is beneficial to have an attorney familiar with search warrants to help you understand your rights.
If you have been accused of a crime in Florida, it is in your best interests to speak with an attorney, especially if the police obtain a search warrant. For example, if you are accused of murdering a victim who was shot with a specific caliber of bullet, and you happen to have a weapon of that caliber for personal reasons, police could search your house, find the weapon and use it as evidence against you. You cannot afford to take your legal defense lightly.
