Minneapolis, MN criminal defense lawyer Ian Birrell talks about the possible defenses that might be raised in a drug case. He explains that drug cases are unique because they often involve a variety of defenses, many of which are highly technical. For example, law enforcement may have failed to conduct a proper investigation, or they may be relying on assumptions rather than concrete proof that the substance in question is actually a controlled drug.

In these cases, motions play a crucial role. Motions are formal requests to the court to take specific actions, and one of the most important in drug cases is a motion to suppress evidence obtained through search and seizure. These motions challenge whether law enforcement followed the technical rules required when searching a car, home, or other property. If it can be shown that the authorities acted improperly, the judge may be required to exclude that evidence, potentially resulting in the charges being dismissed.