UPDATE: Court Denies Karen Huger’s Motion To Dismiss DUI Case Amid Claims Officers Conducted An ‘Illegal Search & Seizure’ During Her Arrest

UPDATE: Court Denies Karen Huger’s Motion To Dismiss DUI Case Amid Claims Officers Conducted An ‘Illegal Search & Seizure’ During Her Arrest

Update (Oct. 18, 2024): Karen Huger’s DUI case will not be dismissed over “illegal search and seizure” claims. Following her arrest for a DUI in March, the Real Housewives of Potomac star filed a motion in July for the case to be tossed out, accusing arresting officers of obtaining evidence through the alleged unlawful search and seizure.

She asked the court to suppress statements and evidence, alleging that she was never read her Miranda rights and instead incriminated herself during her custodial interrogation.

Two weeks after her filing, a judge denied her request, according to People. The court cited previous Supreme Court cases and determined that it was not required for Karen Huger to be read her Miranda rights during her “roadside investigation.”

Then judge added that Karen Huger’s

“statements were not obtained as a result of a custodial interrogation because some of her statements were made while Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel were treating the defendant for potential injuries. The defendant’s statements made during this time were free and voluntary, and were stated out loud while in the presence of police officers.”

The judge continued,

“Additionally, statements made after the defendant was examined by EMS personnel were not obtained as a result of a custodial interrogation because the defendant’s subsequent statements were made while the defendant was temporarily detained pursuant to a traffic stop. The defendant’s statements should not be suppressed and the Defendant’s Motion to Suppress should be denied.”

The court noted that two beers were found near the scene of Karen’s Maserati. Her airbags had also been deployed. The judge added,

“Officers additionally observed the driver of the vehicle, the defendant, unsteady on her feet, swaying, stumbling, and slurring her speech. Furthermore, the initial caller spoke to officers on scene and indicated that prior to police arrival, the defendant appeared confused and the caller smelled alcohol when interacting with the defendant.”

Original Story (Oct. 17, 2024): Karen Huger is putting up a fight in her upcoming DUI criminal trial.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, the reality star’s lawyers recently submitted a motion accusing the officers in her DUI case of conducting an “illegal search and seizure,” arguing that she was not initially made aware she was being detained and was never read her Miranda Rights.

If you recall, TMZ reported that Karen Huger, 61, was detained in Potomac back in March after she crashed her 2017 Maserati, allegedly crossing a median and hitting multiple street signs.

The RHOP star was charged with driving under the influence, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life and person, and various other charges.

In the recent motion, Karen Huger’s lawyers alleged the arresting officers were “aggressive” with her, writing:

“Sergeant Trahan has Karen in custody and is subjecting her to an illegal interrogation, officer Kyle Baxter arrives to assist sergeant Tranhan in the interrogation of Karen…The evidence seized in this case was obtained as a result of an illegal search and seizure.”

They continued:

“The statements taken from the defendant were involuntary and elicited during an illegal custodial interrogation without the observance of mandatory procedural safeguards required by law, specifically the 4th amendment.”

Karen Huger

Huger’s lawyers further requested:

“the evidence of [her] illegal interrogation and all the subsequent police [body cam] video be suppressed as fruit of the poisonous tree.”

Prosecutors reportedly denied the allegations, arguing that police conducted a legal search and should be allowed to present their findings in front of a jury. The case is reportedly headed for a two-day trial in December.

It has not been reported that the court judge has ruled on the matter at this time.

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[VIA]