The Exclusionary Rule

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LSTD503 Criminal Justice Process THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE: A NEED FOR CHANGE Sophia D. Flowers-Hollis Spring 2014 The Exclusionary Rule: A Need for Change The exclusionary rule has been a highly debated topic within our legal system as it has come into conflict with potential evidence that could possibly convict an individual to a jail sentence. Those who are against the exclusionary act believe that the act has no power in stopping unwarranted searches anyway and what the rule mainly does is let criminals go. Those who are for the exclusionary rule say that this is a protective right and is a right that is guaranteed to us through the constitution and should never be taken away. I am against the exclusionary rule. My research paper will argue that the exclusionary rule needs to be changed and although it is a right, federal and certain state laws should not be included with the exclusionary rule. While I do believe the exclusionary rule act provides a basic human protection on rights that is significant in our legal system it needs to be changed. Four major cases have shown the power of the exclusionary act: Weeks v. United States in 1914, Silverthorne Lumber Company v. United States in 1920, Wolf v. Colorado in 1949, and Mapp v. Ohio in 1961 and all have added to the interpretation and decision making on evidence in court cases. Fruit of the poisons tree doctrine in 1920 and the creation of the good faith clause in 1984 has created even more interpretation for the courts on whether evidence seized is valid to use in court or not. Despite these provisions of interpretation, however, it does have flaws within it and in certain instances evidence that is protected by the exclusionary rule should be included in obtaining a conviction in criminal proceedings. Clear evidence that is found in a violation of a law should be able to be used in certain
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