Objective Good Faith Exception
Definition
This is a legal principle that allows evidence obtained in violation of a person's constitutional rights to be used in court if the law enforcement officer who gathered it believed they were acting within the limits of the law.
Analogy
Think of this like accidentally eating your friend's sandwich because you genuinely thought it was yours. Even though you technically did something wrong, your honest mistake makes the situation more understandable.
Related terms
Exclusionary Rule: A law that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial.
Fourth Amendment: The part of the U.S. Constitution that protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by government officials.
Warrant Requirement: The legal requirement for law enforcement to obtain a warrant before conducting a search or seizure.
"Objective Good Faith Exception" appears in:
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