Law Enforcement Constitutional and Case Law 4

Question 1

Under the exclusionary rule, evidence obtained from an illegal search is generally what?

Accepted Answer

Suppressed and inadmissible at trial

Answer

The exclusionary rule bars evidence obtained through unconstitutional searches from being used in the prosecution's case.

Question 2

The 'fruit of the poisonous tree' doctrine excludes what?

Accepted Answer

Evidence derived from an initial illegal act

Answer

Wong Sun established that evidence derived from an original constitutional violation is also tainted and excludable.

Question 3

Under United States v. Leon, the 'good faith' exception allows evidence when officers rely on what?

Accepted Answer

A warrant later found defective but reasonably relied upon

Answer

Leon allows admission of evidence when officers act in objectively reasonable reliance on a warrant later found invalid.

Question 4

The 'inevitable discovery' exception applies when the evidence would have been found how?

Accepted Answer

Through lawful means independent of the violation

Answer

Nix v. Williams permits admission when the evidence inevitably would have been discovered through lawful, independent means.

Question 5

The 'independent source' doctrine allows evidence first found illegally if it is later obtained how?

Accepted Answer

Through a genuinely independent lawful source

Answer

Evidence is admissible under the independent source doctrine if it is also obtained through a separate, lawful, untainted source.

Law Enforcement Practice Test