What does the exclusionary rule protect against?

The exclusionary rule is a legal principle that serves to protect individuals' constitutional rights, specifically the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. It mandates that evidence obtained in violation of this right cannot be used in a court of law. This means that if law enforcement conducts a search or seizure without a warrant or without probable cause, any evidence gathered as a result of that unlawful action will be excluded from trial.

By preventing illegally obtained evidence from being presented in court, the exclusionary rule upholds the integrity of the judicial process and deters law enforcement from engaging in unlawful investigative practices. This ensures that the rights of individuals are respected and maintained during criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The other options focus on different aspects of law enforcement procedures and rights but do not align with the specific function of the exclusionary rule.