Mapp v. Ohio established the Exclusionary Rule, which prohibits the use of what kind of evidence?

Mapp v. Ohio established the Exclusionary Rule, which prohibits the use of what kind of evidence?

• A. Evidence obtained illegally
• B. Hearsay evidence
• C. Circumstantial evidence
• D. Character evidence

Answer: (A)

The Exclusionary Rule bars evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment from being used in criminal prosecutions. Mapp v. Ohio extended this rule to state courts, meaning illegally obtained evidence cannot be admitted in state trials either. That makes the description “evidence obtained illegally” the correct focus of what the Exclusionary Rule prohibits. Hearsay, circumstantial, and character evidence relate to other evidentiary rules and standards, not to the exclusion principle itself.

The Exclusionary Rule bars evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment from being used in criminal prosecutions. Mapp v. Ohio extended this rule to state courts, meaning illegally obtained evidence cannot be admitted in state trials either. That makes the description “evidence obtained illegally” the correct focus of what the Exclusionary Rule prohibits. Hearsay, circumstantial, and character evidence relate to other evidentiary rules and standards, not to the exclusion principle itself.