Which doctrine holds that illegally seized evidence cannot be used in a trial?

• A. Double jeopardy
• B. Exclusionary rule
• C. Miranda warning
• D. Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

Answer: (B)

The exclusionary rule holds that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment cannot be used in a criminal trial. This rule exists to deter illegal searches and protect constitutional rights by removing the benefit of unlawful police conduct, ensuring that evidence admitted at trial is gathered through proper procedures. Related concepts like the fruit of the poisonous tree extend this idea to prevent use of derivative evidence obtained from the initial illegality, but the fundamental doctrine described here is the exclusionary rule itself. The other options don’t address admissibility: double jeopardy stops repeated trials for the same offense, and Miranda warnings concern notifying suspects of their rights during custodial interrogation.