Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 12, 2008 9:28:58 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Illegal Search Rule Faces New Challenge

Posted Jul 19, 08 8:16 AM CDT in Crime & Courts 

(Newser) – America is the only country in the world where evidence—even a carload of narcotics—is automatically suppressed if the police are found to have acted wrongly in acquiring it, writes the New York Times. Courts in other countries weigh the level of police misconduct with the gravity of the crime and the power of the evidence. In the US, the exclusion is absolute, but a change could be coming.

The Supreme Court has chipped away at the controversial rule in recent years, and agreed to review it when a case involving guns and drugs seized in a mistaken search comes before it this fall. Backers of automatic exclusion of evidence argue that it is essential for preserving Fourth Amendment rights. Critics say that with civil suits now providing an effective deterrent for police misconduct, it has outlived its usefulness.

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
This undated image provided by the Drug Enforcement Agency shows evidence seized during arrests on a smuggling ring.   (AP Photo/Drug Enforcement Agency)
This undated image provided by the Drug Enforcement Agency shows evidence seized during arrests in connection with a smuggling ring.   (AP Photo/Drug Enforcement Agency)
A 9 mm hand gun is shown inside an evidence bag Thursday, March 6, 2008, in a New York courtroom.   (AP Photo/Ellis Kaplan, Pool)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

US Supreme Court  • police  • law enforcement  • Fourth Amendment  • US Constitution  • search and seizure


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Crime & Courts Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »