the U.S. court system relies on the exclusionary rule to prevent law enforcement officers and other government officials from violating people’s constitutional rights. Under this rule, courts suppress any pieces of evidence obtained unconstitutionally, often through unlawful seizures or searches. As such, law enforcement officers need a search warrant, which is a judge-signed order authorizing them to search for specific materials or objects. The court may, however, exclude this rule when the exception can help a criminal case. What’s more, law enforcement officers can search without a warrant under certain lawful circumstances.

The exclusionary rule in criminal cases prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in court, impacting prosecution strategies and potentially leading to case dismissals or reduced charges. It serves as a crucial safeguard against police misconduct and protects individuals' constitutional rights, particularly those related to unreasonable searches and seizures.