ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

What principle is established in the case of Weeks v. US?

1. Miranda rights must be read to suspects

2. The exclusionary rule prohibits illegal evidence

3. Suspects have the right to an attorney during questioning

4. The necessity of police obtaining a search warrant

The correct answer is: The exclusionary rule prohibits illegal evidence

The principle established in the case of Weeks v. US centers on the exclusionary rule, which holds that evidence obtained in violation of a person's constitutional rights cannot be used in court. This significant ruling helped to protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures as outlined in the Fourth Amendment. The exclusionary rule serves as a critical deterrent against improper conduct by law enforcement, emphasizing that the integrity of the judicial process must be maintained by excluding evidence gathered through illicit means. The other options reference different legal principles. While Miranda rights relate to a suspect's right to be informed of their rights during an arrest, this principle was established in a later case, Miranda v. Arizona. Similarly, the right to an attorney during questioning is part of the Sixth Amendment, but it does not directly pertain to the Weeks case. Furthermore, the necessity of obtaining a search warrant is a principle supported by the Fourth Amendment but was not the central focus of Weeks v. US; instead, the case primarily addressed the validity of evidence in terms of whether it was obtained legally.