What does the exclusionary rule prohibit?

• A. The exclusionary rule prohibits any use of evidence.
• B. Evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment is generally inadmissible.
• C. The rule applies only to civil cases.
• D. There are always exceptions; all such evidence is admissible.

Answer: (B)

The exclusionary rule prevents evidence gathered in violation of the Fourth Amendment from being used against a person in a criminal prosecution. In other words, if police conduct a search or seizure that isn’t reasonable under the Fourth Amendment, the resulting evidence is generally not admissible at trial to prove guilt. This remedy helps deter unlawful police activity and protect constitutional rights. There are exceptions where tainted evidence can still be admitted (like good faith, inevitable discovery, or independent source), but the default rule is inadmissibility. It mainly applies in criminal cases, not civil cases.