Kansas Criminal Defense: Probable Cause & Warrants

What Kansas law says about evidentiary searches in a criminal case

By Super Lawyers staff | Reviewed by Canaan Suitt, J.D. | Last updated on April 26, 2023

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The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police officers need a warrant or probable cause to conduct a search.

If your rights were violated, illegal evidence may be excluded from your case—which could result in charges being dropped.

In this article, you will find an overview of the key things to know about probable cause, warrantless searches, and your right to challenge illegally obtained evidence in a criminal case.

Police Need a Search Warrant (With Limited Exceptions)

Police officers are usually required to get a judicial warrant before conducting a search.

This means that law enforcement officers must go before a judge and demonstrate probable cause that criminal activity at the location being searched. There are some limited exceptions to this standard. Police officers in Kansas do not need to obtain a warrant before conducting a search if:

  1. They get consent from the person being searched
  2. Evidence of criminal activity is in plain view
  3. There are exigent (emergency) circumstances

If you believe that police are searching your person, your vehicle or your home without probable cause, do not physically confront the officers. Doing so is a serious mistake that could even lead to additional criminal charges.

When your Fourth Amendment rights are violated, you should seek relief through the criminal justice process with the help of an experienced Kansas criminal defense attorney. (Often, they will offer a free consultation before the attorney-client relationship begins.)

Know Your Remedy Against an Unlawful Search: Motion to Suppress

You may be wondering: Will my charges be dismissed if police obtained evidence through an illegal search?

The answer is: It depends.

Charges will not be automatically dismissed, even if a judge determines that you were the victim of an unlawful search. However, you have important legal remedies available.

Under Kansas law, defendants can file a motion to suppress illegally seized evidence. When granted, this type of pre-trial motion will result in illegal evidence being thrown out of court—meaning the prosecutors cannot use it in your case (be it drug paraphernalia, contraband, the drugs themselves, or other items specific to your particular case).

A Successful Motion to Suppress Could Result in Criminal Charges Being Dropped

Once a motion to suppress evidence is granted, charges may or may not be dropped by prosecutors. It depends entirely on the nature and scope of the evidence being excluded from the court case.

If the prosecution cannot meet its burden to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt without that illegal evidence, charges may end up being dismissed. If the prosecution feels it still has sufficient alternative evidence, they could decide to move forward with the case.

If you believe that you were subject to an illegal search or search, contact an experienced Kansas criminal defense lawyer for immediate help with your case.

For more information on this area of law, see our overview of criminal defense law.

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