Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Practice Exam

If evidence obtained through an illegal search cannot be linked to a separate legal source, what happens to that evidence?

1. It is always admissible

2. It is considered inadmissible

3. It can be used in civil cases

4. It can be reviewed by a higher court

The correct answer is: It is considered inadmissible

When evidence is obtained through an illegal search, it generally falls under the exclusionary rule, which dictates that evidence collected in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights cannot be used against them in a court of law. Specifically, if there is no separate legal source to connect that evidence to a valid justification for its collection, it reinforces the conclusion that the evidence was gathered improperly. Therefore, it is deemed inadmissible in criminal proceedings. This principle is crucial in upholding the integrity of the legal process and ensuring that law enforcement adheres to constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. As a result, any evidence obtained through an illegal search is excluded from court proceedings, emphasizing the importance of lawful conduct by police and other authorities when gathering evidence. The other options would not provide an accurate reflection of the rules governing evidence obtained unlawfully. For instance, evidence obtained illegally cannot always be admitted in circumstances, nor can it be used indiscriminately in civil cases—it must be assessed carefully based on the legality of its acquisition. Additionally, merely being reviewed by a higher court does not change the inadmissibility status of the evidence if it was unlawfully obtained.