Chain of Custody Errors in Ohio: How Mishandled Evidence Can Impact Your Criminal Case

In a criminal case, few things are more powerful—or more fragile—than evidence. But for that evidence to hold up in court, it must be properly collected, documented, stored, and transferred. At Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A., our Cleveland criminal defense lawyers represent clients across Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio who are facing serious charges based on evidence that may be flawed or mishandled. If law enforcement failed to follow proper procedures, we fight to have that evidence excluded—and use that to protect your freedom, your record, and your future.

What Is the Chain of Custody?

The chain of custody refers to the documented and unbroken process of collecting, handling, storing, and presenting evidence from the moment it's recovered to when it's introduced in court. Any gaps or mistakes in this chain can make the evidence inadmissible, weakening the prosecution’s case.

Common Chain of Custody Mistakes Include:

• Improperly labeling or documenting evidence
• Losing or misplacing items between departments
• Mixing up evidence from multiple cases
• Failing to record who had access to the evidence
• Contaminating DNA or biological samples through poor handling
• Storing evidence in insecure or unsuitable conditions

At Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A., we examine every step of the evidence trail to determine if mistakes were made that violate your right to a fair trial.

How Chain of Custody Errors Affect Your Ohio Criminal Case

1. Suppression of Evidence

If evidence was mishandled or improperly stored, our Cleveland criminal defense lawyers can file a motion to suppress in Cleveland Municipal Court or Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. If successful, that evidence will be excluded from trial—potentially crippling the prosecution’s ability to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

2. Weakened Credibility of Law Enforcement

Chain of custody issues don’t just affect your case—they also damage the credibility of the police and prosecution. Judges and juries are less likely to trust law enforcement when procedures aren’t followed. This can be a powerful factor in negotiating reduced charges or case dismissal.

3. Potential Case Dismissal or Reduced Charges

If a crucial piece of evidence—such as a blood sample, weapon, or digital file—is declared inadmissible, it could result in:

• Dismissal of charges
• Plea deals to lesser offenses
• Avoidance of mandatory minimum sentences
• Greater leverage during plea negotiations

Our criminal defense team in Cleveland has successfully challenged improper evidence in cases involving drug crimes, OVI, theft, assault, and more.

What Happens When the Chain of Custody Is Broken?

Ohio courts demand strict adherence to evidence handling protocols. If the prosecution cannot clearly account for who collected, stored, transferred, or tested the evidence at each step, the court may declare it inadmissible—meaning it cannot be used against you at trial. This can significantly weaken the state’s case.

Examples of Chain of Custody Breakdowns:

• A DNA sample mislabeled at the lab and wrongly linked to the defendant
• A cellphone seized without proper documentation, later found to contain altered data
• Bodycam footage that was deleted, edited, or overwritten before it could be reviewed in court
• Blood or urine samples left unrefrigerated or improperly stored, invalidating toxicology results

When evidence is tainted by mishandling, our criminal defense team at Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. holds the state accountable. We move swiftly to suppress unreliable evidence and ensure your case is tried on facts—not flawed procedures.

Legal Defense for Mishandled Evidence in Cleveland

At Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A., we represent clients across Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, Akron, and throughout Cuyahoga County who are facing criminal charges built on questionable or mishandled evidence. Whether you’ve been charged with drug possession, OVI, assault, or another serious offense, our defense begins with a critical review of the chain of custody and how evidence in your case was handled.

Why Clients Across Northeast Ohio Trust Our Firm:

• We file strategic motions to suppress evidence that cannot be verified or authenticated
• We consult with trusted forensic experts to uncover errors, contamination, or chain of custody breaks
• We expose procedural failures and police negligence that compromise fairness and due process
• We deliver clear, persuasive arguments that challenge the state’s case and resonate with judges and juries

When the integrity of the evidence is in doubt, we make sure the court knows it—and we fight to keep unreliable evidence out of your trial.

What To Do If You Suspect Mishandled or Tampered Evidence

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, or anywhere in Northeast Ohio, and you believe law enforcement mishandled key evidence, taking swift action is critical. Mishandled evidence can make or break a case—but only if it’s properly challenged.

Follow these steps immediately:

• Do not discuss your case with anyone except your criminal defense attorney
• Secure a copy of all police reports, lab results, and chain of custody documentation
• Preserve any personal evidence you may have—such as texts, photos, surveillance footage, or receipts
• Avoid deleting anything from your devices, even if it seems unrelated
• Contact Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. immediately to schedule a full case review

We’ll examine whether your rights were violated, assess the integrity of the prosecution’s evidence, and take aggressive steps to suppress anything that cannot be trusted.

Fight Back When the Evidence Doesn’t Add Up

We know that even a small mistake in handling evidence can have life-changing consequences. If you believe the evidence in your case was mishandled, mislabeled, or tampered with, you need legal counsel who will hold the state accountable. Our Cleveland criminal defense team aggressively challenges flawed investigations and fights to keep unreliable evidence out of court. Call or text Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. at (216) 661-5050 now for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Cleveland criminal defense lawyer. You can also fill out our secure online form—your information stays confidential, and an attorney from our trusted legal team will follow up shortly. 

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