What does the Exclusionary Rule primarily prevent?

The Exclusionary Rule primarily prevents the admission of evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures. This rule is designed to protect the right of individuals against unreasonable searches as outlined in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. When law enforcement collects evidence in violation of a person's constitutional rights, that evidence is deemed inadmissible in court. This rule serves as a critical check on governmental power, ensuring that law enforcement adheres to constitutional standards when obtaining evidence.

The focus of the Exclusionary Rule is on the methods used to gather evidence; if those methods are found to be unlawful, the evidence must be excluded from trials, thereby upholding the integrity of the judicial process and protecting individuals' rights against governmental overreach.