In which case was the Good Faith Exception to the Exclusionary Rule established?

Study for the GPSTC Criminal Procedure Exam. Access quizzes with multiple choice questions, each with explanations and hints. Master your exam preparation!

The Good Faith Exception to the Exclusionary Rule was established in the case of United States v. Leon. This legal principle allows for evidence obtained through a search warrant that is later found to be invalid to still be admissible in court if law enforcement officers were acting in good faith, believing the warrant was valid at the time of the search.

In this case, the Supreme Court recognized that excluding evidence in good faith circumstances could undermine the truth-seeking function of the trial process and limit the effectiveness of law enforcement. By establishing this exception, the Court aimed to strike a balance between protecting individuals' Fourth Amendment rights and preventing the injustice of letting potentially incriminating evidence go unheard simply because of a technical error in the warrant.

This decision marked a significant development in criminal procedure, illustrating the Court's recognition of the practical concerns surrounding law enforcement operations while still upholding constitutional protections. Other cases listed do not address the exclusionary rule or its exceptions in the same context, making United States v. Leon the landmark case for the Good Faith Exception.

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