---
title: "Exclusionary Rule"
type: Legal Term
source: https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/exclusionary-rule
---

# Exclusionary Rule

The exclusionary rule prohibits the use of evidence obtained through unconstitutional government conduct — typically an illegal search or seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment — in a criminal prosecution. The rule serves as a deterrent against police misconduct. Exceptions include the good-faith exception (when officers reasonably rely on a facially valid warrant), the inevitable discovery doctrine, the independent source doctrine, and attenuation of the taint.

## Related Terms

- fruit-of-the-poisonous-tree
- probable-cause
- miranda-rights

## Related Cases

- mapp-v-ohio
- united-states-v-leon
- hudson-v-michigan
- nix-v-williams

## Example

Police search a home without a warrant and find drugs. Under the exclusionary rule, the drugs are inadmissible unless an exception applies.

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Source: [Exclusionary Rule — CaseBriefly](https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/exclusionary-rule)