Search Warrants, Wire Taps & Other Surveillance

Illegal Search Warrants, Wire Taps and Surveillance Attorney Servicing Hudson Valley, NY

A critical component of a criminal defense involves the investigation of law enforcement conduct leading up to an arrest. Authorities will often employ search warrants, audio or video surveillance, and wire-tapping to bolster their case if they suspect criminal activity. However, when these types of surveillance are conducted in ways that violate the Constitution, then evidence obtained in this way can be deemed inadmissible in court.

A strategic and aggressive defense of any drug crime involves challenging an illegal search warrant, unlawful wire taps and warrantless surveillance. If you are under investigation or were arrested, contact my office to begin an immediate investigation into the surveillance techniques used in your case. For specific information on search warrants, wire taps and surveillance please contact me.

If you've been arrested on drug charges, you need an experienced and aggressive defense, capable of investigating the actions of law enforcement officials in your case. As your attorney, I will thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to your arrest, and I'll explore all the angles and arguments that will safeguard your rights.

Illegal search warrants, warrantless wiretapping and unlawful surveillance
As an attorney with extensive experience in both the defense and prosecution of drug crimes, I know the process and procedures followed in a narcotics investigation starting from the initial informant or tip-off through a raid. I am experienced with the law relating to confidential informants, surveillance and requirements for search warrants. I will effectively investigate the facts surrounding your search and thoroughly look into all the pertinent issues of your case, including:

Did the warrant effectively limit the scope of the search?
Were the police limited to what they can and cannot listen to in surveillance?
What activity made you a target?

In order to properly attack a warrant and its sufficiency, the lawyer must know and understand the reach of search and seizure law. Evidence obtained through an unlawful search will only be suppressed if the search itself was illegal.

Even if police have a warrant for wiretapping, they must turn off surveillance if there is no mention of drugs or drug code language within a certain period of time. I can effectively challenge the use of illegal wiretapping in your case and help you protect your rights if you are under investigation.

Activities that may make you a target for a drug investigation:

Consorting or dealing with relative strangers, especially if you are in a highly visible area
Hanging out with a known criminal or drug dealer
Publicly displaying a high level of wealth or high-value items seemingly beyond your ability to lawfully procure such items
The recent arrest of someone close to you

If you are under investigation for a drug crime or believe that you may be a target for surveillance, contact my office as soon as possible for a free consultation. I can advise you on how to protect your rights and aggressively challenge any evidence presented against you.

For specific information on search warrants, wire taps and surveillance please contact the Law Office of Raymond D. Sprowls for a free consultation. I offer strategic, intelligent and aggressive advocacy focused on your rights. Call my Newburgh, New York office today to investigate an illegal search warrant.

Drug Crimes

Recent Case Results

November, 2009:
Two men were arrested in a car after police claimed they had seen the driver (Mr. Sprowls’ client) throw a quantity of cocaine out the window and on to a city street. At a pre-trial suppression hearing, Mr. Sprowls successfully argued to the judge that the evidence should be suppressed. Once the evidence was suppressed, the D.A. had no choice but to dismiss all criminal charges. The defendant ended up pleading guilty to a speeding ticket!
October, 2009:
A few months after Mr. Sprowls’ client was arrested during the execution of a search warrant, Mr. Sprowls got the felony charges dismissed. The defendant had been found inside an apartment with prescription pills, marijuana, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia in the room next to where the defendant was standing. Mr. Sprowls used his extensive knowledge of search and seizure law and the facts of the case to convince the D.A. that the case could not be proven against his client and persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges.
August, 2009:
The police arrested two boys and charged them with felony Criminal Mischief, claiming the boys had caused damage in excess of $500.00 to a local municipal park. The boys denied the charges. The end result? Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed in exchange for the boys’ promise each pay only $100.00. The moral of the story? Never accept the word of the police as truth -- they lie and exaggerate just as much as anyone else.
August, 2008
Two men were arrested and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Mr. Sprowls' client had just finished serving 22 years in state prison and was on parole.

Within five weeks of the defendant's arraignment, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and the defendant is a free man.
March, 2008:
A high school-aged boy and four of his friends were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. If convicted of the Burglary Charge as an adult, Mr. Sprowls’ client could have been sentenced to anywhere between 5 and 25 years in state prison. In October, 2008, after extensive investigation and interviews with witnesses, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and his client’s bright future remained intact.
February, 2008
Five people were arrested in a commercial establishment during the execution of a search warrant. The store was a "weed spot" and had been selling to a steady stream of customers for months.

Mr. Sprowls' client was in the common area of the store when the police entered and no marijuana was found on his person.

Within a month of his arrest, Mr. Sprowls got the case against his client dismissed.
December, 2007
Two men were arrested in the City of Newburgh and charged with multiple Class D Felonies, including Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. Mr. Sprowls' client had a lengthy criminal record going back over thirty years with a prior felony conviction. The D.A. was out for blood and insisted that the two men would go to state prison for these crimes.

Of course, Mr. Sprowls could represent only one of the defendants. After investigating the case and researching the applicable law, Mr. Sprowls advised his client to refuse all plea offers and to remain ready for trial.

The co-defendant was subsequently indicted and his case was transferred to County Court where he is looking at a state prison sentence.

Mr. Sprowls' client is now a free man. Because Mr. Sprowls knew the law and the facts of the case, all of the charges were dismissed and the defendant is home with his family.