What is the purpose of a "motion to suppress" evidence?

A motion to suppress evidence is a legal procedure that seeks to prevent certain evidence from being introduced during a trial. The primary objective is to challenge the legality of how the evidence was obtained, arguing that it may have been collected in violation of constitutional rights, such as the right against unreasonable searches and seizures as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment. If the court grants this motion, the prosecution cannot use that evidence against the defendant, which can significantly impact the outcome of the case.

The other options focus on different legal actions. A request for a new trial involves seeking to have a previous trial's outcome overturned and does not specifically address evidence suppression. An appeal concerns contesting a decision made by a lower court, rather than addressing evidence. Lastly, a motion to dismiss charges is aimed at terminating a case altogether, rather than just affecting the admissibility of particular evidence in a trial. Therefore, focusing on the introduction of evidence specifically characterizes the purpose of a motion to suppress.