What you Should Know
At Rideout Law Group, we understand that a criminal charge is one of the most serious threats to a person’s freedom and future. That’s why our defense strategy begins at the very foundation of your arrest: probable cause. If law enforcement lacked a lawful basis to detain, search, or arrest you, our attorneys will challenge every procedural step to fight for the dismissal of your case.
What Is Probable Cause?
In Arizona, police must have probable cause to make an arrest, conduct a search, or obtain a warrant. Probable cause means that officers must reasonably believe a person has committed—or is committing—a crime. It’s more than just suspicion; it requires factual evidence that can justify police actions. Without it, any evidence gathered could be suppressed, and charges may be thrown out.
Why Probable Cause Matters in Your Defense
The probable cause standard is rooted in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. In many criminal cases—from drug charges to DUIs—Rideout Law Group challenges whether law enforcement met this standard. If we can prove your rights were violated, crucial evidence could be excluded from trial, severely weakening the prosecution’s case.
How Rideout Law Strategically Challenges Probable Cause
Our criminal defense team—led by attorneys Brad Rideout, Steven Eckhardt, and Carolyn Keist-Gilbert—takes a proactive approach to probable cause challenges:
- Investigating Officer Conduct
We closely examine the behavior of law enforcement during the stop, arrest, or search. Was the traffic stop pretextual? Did officers have any real reason to pull you over? Were you profiled without evidence of a crime? If procedures weren’t followed by the book, we move to suppress the resulting evidence.
- Filing Motions to Suppress
A motion to suppress is a powerful legal tool we use to argue that the evidence obtained should not be allowed in court because it was collected illegally. In DUI cases, for example, we may question the justification for the stop or the administration of field sobriety tests.
- Challenging Search Warrants
Even if a warrant was issued, Rideout Law scrutinizes whether it was supported by true probable cause. Was the affidavit misleading? Did officers go beyond the scope of the warrant? Our attorneys are skilled at identifying overreach that violates your constitutional protections.
- Cross-Examining Officers in Hearings
During suppression hearings, we confront officers under oath. Our lawyers are seasoned in trial strategy and cross-examination, bringing inconsistencies or constitutional violations to light—often before your case even reaches trial.
Proven Results Across Arizona
With offices in Scottsdale and Lake Havasu City, Rideout Law Group defends clients across Maricopa and Mohave counties. We’ve had success challenging probable cause in both urban and rural jurisdictions, helping clients get charges dismissed or significantly reduced before trial ever begins.
From DUI stops on Loop 101 in Scottsdale to felony drug arrests in Lake Havasu, our attorneys understand local law enforcement practices and how to dismantle weak cases at their core.
Get Legal Help Immediately
If you were arrested in Arizona, don’t assume police followed the law. Contact Rideout Law Group to review whether your rights were violated. Our legal team offers same-day consultations and builds aggressive defenses starting with probable cause.
📍 Scottsdale Office: 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 225, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
📍 Lake Havasu Office: 2800 Sweetwater Ave, Suite A104, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
📞 Call us today at (480) 584-3328 or (928) 854-8181 for a confidential case review.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact a licensed attorney at Rideout Law Group.