What does the "exclusionary rule" ensure in Utah's criminal law?

The exclusionary rule is a legal principle that serves to protect individuals' constitutional rights during criminal investigations and prosecutions by ensuring that evidence obtained in violation of those rights is not admissible in court. In Utah, as in other jurisdictions, this rule is primarily aimed at discouraging police misconduct and safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process.

When evidence is obtained without following proper legal procedures, such as obtaining a search warrant or conducting an interrogation without informing the suspect of their rights, it infringes on the individual's rights guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. The exclusionary rule operates to exclude this improperly obtained evidence from being used at trial, thus maintaining the principle that the ends do not justify the means when it comes to enforcing the law.

The other options fall short of capturing the essence of the exclusionary rule. For instance, the inclusion of all types of evidence or the exclusion of legally obtained evidence contradicts the purpose of the rule, as both scenarios do not align with its protective intention. Furthermore, suggesting that evidence can be used based on public interest undermines individual rights and does not reflect the principle that evidence obtained through rights violations should be excluded, no matter the potential public benefits.