The principle excluding evidence obtained as a violation of the 4th Amendment is known as the ______

• A. Probable Cause
• B. Good Faith Exception
• C. Exclusionary Rule
• D. Miranda Warning

Answer: (C)

Exclusionary Rule is the principle that evidence obtained through a Fourth Amendment violation cannot be used in court. It’s designed to deter illegal searches and protect privacy by ensuring police do not benefit from unlawful action. When a search or seizure is conducted without proper authority, the evidence gathered is generally suppressed, and sometimes even evidence derived from that illegal action is barred—the so‑called fruits of the poisonous tree concept. There are limited exceptions, such as the Good Faith Exception, which allows admission of evidence obtained under a warrant that is later found to be defective if the officers acted reasonably and without intent to violate the law. The other concepts address different ideas: Probable cause is the standard needed to justify a search or arrest, and Miranda warnings relate to rights during custodial interrogation, not to the general suppression of illegally obtained evidence.