What significant legal principle did Mapp v. Ohio (1961) establish?

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) established the Exclusionary Rule, which is a significant legal principle in the context of criminal law. This case was pivotal because it determined that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, cannot be used in state courts.

The Supreme Court ruled that the exclusionary rule, previously applied in federal courts, must also apply to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision reinforced the principle that law enforcement must respect constitutional rights when gathering evidence, acting as a safeguard against illegal searches and seizures. The ruling ultimately serves to deter police misconduct and uphold the integrity of the justice system by ensuring that evidence obtained unlawfully does not contribute to a conviction.

This ruling had a profound impact on both law enforcement practices and the rights of individuals, shaping the landscape of criminal procedure in the United States.