Exclusionary Rule prohibits which of the following?

• A. A rule prohibiting the use of illegally obtained evidence
• B. A rule about admissibility of hearsay
• C. A rule that requires disclosure of all possible evidence
• D. A rule that only digital evidence is admissible

Answer: (A)

The Exclusionary Rule means that evidence gathered in violation of a person’s constitutional rights, especially from improper searches or seizures, cannot be used in court to prove guilt. This rule exists to deter police from violating rights and to safeguard the fairness of the judicial process. It covers not only the initially collected evidence but also derivative evidence obtained as a result of the illegal action (the “fruit of the poisonous tree”) unless an exception applies, such as independent source or inevitable discovery.

The other options aren’t about this rule. Hearsay admissibility is governed by separate rules about whether out-of-court statements are reliable, not by the Exclusionary Rule. Requiring disclosure of all possible evidence relates to discovery procedures, not to exclusion of illegally obtained material. The notion that only digital evidence is admissible is incorrect; admissibility depends on how evidence was obtained and whether it meets rules of relevance and reliability, regardless of format.