What is the exclusionary rule?

The exclusionary rule is a legal rule that states that evidence obtained from an illegal search or seizure cannot be used in criminal proceedings against the defendant. This rule is based on the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. In Washington, the exclusionary rule applies to all searches and seizures conducted by law enforcement officers, including those for drug crimes. This means that when law enforcement officers search a person or their home in connection with a drug crime, any evidence obtained from the search or seizure cannot be used against the defendant in criminal proceedings. For example, if an officer illegally enters a person’s home and finds drugs, the drugs cannot be used against the defendant in court. However, if the officer had a valid search warrant, the drugs could be used as evidence of a drug crime in court. The exclusionary rule is an important legal tool to protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. Without the rule, officers could perform illegal searches and seizures, and the evidence obtained could be used as evidence of a crime against the defendant in criminal proceedings. The exclusionary rule helps ensure that law enforcement officers use legal methods when gathering evidence and that evidence obtained illegally is not used against a defendant in court.

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