Attenuation Doctrine

Intervening acts may dissipate the taint of illegality.

Related Exclusionary Rule rules

• Exclusionary RuleIllegally obtained evidence is excluded unless an exception applies.
• Fruit of the Poisonous TreeDerivative evidence is excluded unless attenuation, independent source, or inevitable discovery applies.
• Good-Faith ExceptionEvidence is admissible when police reasonably rely on a facially valid warrant.
• Independent Source DoctrineEvidence is admissible if obtained independently from the illegal search.
• Inevitable Discovery DoctrineEvidence is admissible if it would have been lawfully discovered anyway.

Part of Criminal Procedure on Core Legal Rules — foundational MBE-tested principles with primary-source citations.