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exclusionary rule

noun

Definition of exclusionary rule

: a legal rule that bars unlawfully obtained evidence from being used in court proceedings

Examples of exclusionary rule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 In 2009, four years after Rehnquist died, the court did not overturn the exclusionary rule but came close. — David G. Savage, latimes.com, "Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh lauded late Chief Justice Rehnquist for dissenting in Roe vs. Wade and supporting school prayer," 11 July 2018 Unless, of course, the left can nullify the exclusionary rule. — WSJ, "The Cohen Raid and Attorney-Client Privilege," 17 Apr. 2018 The court further holds that there is no basis not to apply the exclusionary rule in this case. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, "Man reported cooperating with Mueller probe once charged over alleged child porn," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exclusionary rule.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of exclusionary rule

1938, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for exclusionary rule

exclusionary rule

noun

Legal Definition of exclusionary rule

: any of various rules that exclude or suppress evidence specifically : a rule of evidence that excludes or suppresses evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights — see also fruit of the poisonous tree, good faith exception, Mapp v. Ohio and Wong Sun v. United States

Note: The U.S. Supreme Court established the rule that evidence gathered by a governmental agent in violation of especially the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution cannot be admitted against a defendant. The rule is available primarily in criminal trials or quasi-criminal proceedings (as punitive administrative hearings) and must also be observed by state courts. There are various statutory exclusionary rules in addition to the rule established by the Supreme Court.

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