What case aligns with the concept of fruit of the poisonous tree?

The concept of "fruit of the poisonous tree" refers to the legal principle that evidence obtained through illegal means, such as violations of a person's Fourth Amendment rights, cannot be used in court. This doctrine extends to any evidence derived from the initially tainted evidence, as it is seen as a product of wrongful government conduct.

Wong Sun v. U.S. is a landmark case that embodies the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that any evidence gained as a result of an unlawful arrest must be excluded from trial. The Court emphasized that not only is the direct evidence resulting from illegal actions excluded, but also any secondary evidence that is derived from the primary unlawfully obtained evidence.

Understanding this framework helps highlight why Wong Sun v. U.S. is the most relevant case in relation to the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine, as it explicitly established the parameters for how evidence linked back to illegal actions cannot be used against a defendant, maintaining the integrity of the judicial process. This case serves as a crucial precedent for subsequent decisions regarding the admissibility of evidence in criminal proceedings.