What kind of evidence would be considered fruit from the poisonous tree?

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Fruit from the poisonous tree is a legal metaphor used in the context of the exclusionary rule, which states that any evidence derived from illegal actions by law enforcement procedures is inadmissible in court. This principle stems from the idea that if the initial evidence (the "tree") is obtained through a violation of constitutional rights, then any subsequent evidence derived from that initial illegal evidence (the "fruit") is also tainted by that illegality, making it inadmissible.

The correct answer identifies evidence obtained illegally, highlighting that such evidence cannot be used in a court proceeding due to the violation of legal protocols, thereby protecting individuals' rights against unlawful searches and seizures. This ensures that law enforcement adheres to constitutional standards, which ultimately upholds the integrity of the judicial system.

In contrast, evidence obtained with proper warrants, legal means, or voluntarily presented by the defendant is considered admissible because these methods comply with legal standards and do not infringe on any rights.

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