What legal concept prevents the use of evidence obtained through illegal searches in court?

The legal concept that prevents the use of evidence obtained through illegal searches in court is the exclusionary rule. This rule is rooted in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. When law enforcement officers conduct a search without a warrant or probable cause, any evidence collected during that search is deemed inadmissible in court. The rationale behind this rule is to deter police misconduct and ensure that individuals’ rights are respected.

Probable cause refers to the reasonable grounds needed for law enforcement to obtain a search warrant or make an arrest, but it is not a mechanism to suppress evidence. Statutory interpretation involves the analysis and interpretation of laws, while Miranda rights are the rights warned to individuals during an arrest regarding their right to remain silent and to have an attorney. None of these concepts directly addresses the inadmissibility of unlawfully obtained evidence as effectively as the exclusionary rule.