What legal principle allows for the exclusion of unlawfully obtained evidence?

The exclusionary rule is a legal principle that prohibits the use of evidence in court if it has been obtained through violations of a defendant's constitutional rights, most commonly the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. This principle serves to uphold the integrity of the judicial system by discouraging law enforcement from engaging in unlawful practices when gathering evidence. By excluding such evidence, the rule aims to deter future misconduct and protect the rights of individuals from governmental abuse.

The other choices relate to important concepts in criminal justice but don't specifically address the exclusion of unlawfully obtained evidence. Chain of custody pertains to the handling of evidence to ensure its integrity and reliability; due process involves the legal requirement that an individual receives fair treatment through the normal judicial system; and Miranda rights refer to the rights of individuals in police custody to be informed of their legal rights, including the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present. While all these concepts are crucial in the context of criminal justice, it is the exclusionary rule that directly reflects the legal principle related to the exclusion of illegally obtained evidence.