B. Exceptions to the exclusionary rule
1. Good faith exception established by United States v. Leon (1984)
2. Inevitable discovery rule created by Nix v. Williams (1984)
What If Scenario
Lecture Notes
In theory, few Americans would disagree that police are, and should be, subjected to the
rule of the law. A solid majority of Americans are supportive of the police and believe that they
should have the tools and resources to protect society. Americans do disagree, however, at
which point the law should be applied to police. Students must understand that police power is
vital in a civilized society, but that power must be properly balanced against the equally
important rights of individual liberties. The struggle to find the proper balance is an evolving
process.
Search and seizure form the core of police power. Seizure involves actions as simple as
confiscation of illegal items and substances to the arrest and detention of individuals. The U. S.
The exclusionary rule, as discussed in the textbook, is a controversial yet important
concept. In the infrequent but inevitable event of corruption or malice by police in searching and
seizing evidence, are the police exempt from responsibility? The courts have ruled that such
possibly guilty person may be released. Is this the only way to control careless or malicious
police officers?
See Assignment 4
See Assignments 4
PPT 36