What is the Exclusionary Rule?

• A. Evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution is generally inadmissible.
• B. Evidence obtained legally is always admissible.
• C. The Exclusionary Rule applies only to hearsay evidence.
• D. Physical evidence cannot be suppressed in court.

Answer: (A)

The Exclusionary Rule means evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution is generally inadmissible in court. This rule protects constitutional rights—like protection against unlawful searches and seizures—and discourages police from violating those rights. In practice, it bars both physical items seized through an improper search and statements obtained through unconstitutional means from being used to prove guilt. There are important exceptions (such as good-faith or inevitable-discovery exceptions) where tainted evidence might still be admitted, but the default rule is that unconstitutional- acquired evidence cannot be used. The other statements aren’t accurate: evidence that is legally obtained isn’t guaranteed to be admissible in every case, the rule isn’t limited to hearsay, and physical evidence can still be suppressed if it was obtained in violation of constitutional rights.