What does the Exclusionary Rule prohibit?

The Exclusionary Rule prohibits the use of illegally seized evidence in court, which is crucial for upholding the Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. This legal principle ensures that any evidence obtained in violation of a person's constitutional rights cannot be used to prosecute them in a criminal trial, thereby serving as a deterrent against unlawful police conduct. By excluding such evidence, the rule reinforces the integrity of the judicial process and protects individual rights.

This prohibition on the use of illegally obtained evidence emphasizes the importance of adhering to proper legal procedures during investigations. If law enforcement unlawfully gathers evidence, allowing that evidence to be used in court would undermine the legal system and could encourage violations of rights. Thus, the Exclusionary Rule acts as a safeguard, ensuring that evidence presented in court is gathered legitimately and ethically.