What is one primary outcome of the exclusionary rule?

The primary outcome of the exclusionary rule is that it increases police accountability. The exclusionary rule is a legal principle in the United States that prohibits the use of evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights, particularly the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. By disallowing such evidence in court, the exclusionary rule incentivizes law enforcement agencies to adhere strictly to constitutional standards during investigations and arrests.

This means that police officers must be diligent and ensure that they have probable cause and the necessary legal justifications before conducting searches or seizing evidence. If they fail to do so, the evidence they collect may be deemed inadmissible in court, thereby holding them accountable for their actions. Ultimately, this rule serves to protect individuals' rights while maintaining a system of checks and balances on law enforcement practices.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary purpose or outcome of the exclusionary rule. For example, the exclusionary rule does not streamline the trial process; rather, it can complicate it by requiring litigations over the admissibility of evidence. Similarly, it does not allow surveillance without oversight or grant broader authority to law enforcement agencies, as these would contradict the foundational aim of protecting citizens’ rights against potential abuses of