What is the primary purpose of the exclusionary rule?

The primary purpose of the exclusionary rule is to suppress evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment. This rule is rooted in the principle that the government must follow legal procedures and respect citizens' constitutional rights when conducting searches and seizures. If law enforcement obtains evidence through methods that violate these rights, such as without a warrant or probable cause, that evidence cannot be used in court. This serves two main objectives: it helps to deter police misconduct by holding law enforcement accountable for constitutional violations, and it preserves the integrity of the judicial process by ensuring that convictions are based on legally obtained evidence. The exclusionary rule plays a crucial role in upholding the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.