Which statement accurately reflects the inevitable discovery principle?

Which statement accurately reflects the inevitable discovery principle?

• A. Courts will not suppress evidence that has been seized illegally if the government can establish that the evidence would inevitably be discovered lawfully
• B. The inevitable discovery doctrine applies only when the police acted in good faith
• C. The inevitable discovery doctrine allows admission of any illegally obtained evidence
• D. The rule requires a successful suppression motion regardless of discovery possibility

Answer: (A)

The inevitable discovery principle is an exception to the exclusionary rule: evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure can be admitted if it would have been discovered anyway by lawful means. The government must show that independent, lawful steps would inevitably have led to the same discovery, regardless of the unconstitutional action. Good faith by the police isn’t required for this doctrine to apply. It doesn’t authorize admitting all illegally obtained evidence—only that which would have been found through lawful means. If the government proves inevitability, suppression may be denied because the evidence would have been discovered independently of the illegal conduct.

The inevitable discovery principle is an exception to the exclusionary rule: evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure can be admitted if it would have been discovered anyway by lawful means. The government must show that independent, lawful steps would inevitably have led to the same discovery, regardless of the unconstitutional action. Good faith by the police isn’t required for this doctrine to apply. It doesn’t authorize admitting all illegally obtained evidence—only that which would have been found through lawful means. If the government proves inevitability, suppression may be denied because the evidence would have been discovered independently of the illegal conduct.