Which is an exception to the exclusionary rule?

• A. Inevitable discovery.
• B. The suspect's confession was coerced.
• C. The evidence was obtained after a long delay.
• D. The evidence was obtained in a public place.

Answer: (A)

An important idea here is that the exclusionary rule bars evidence obtained through illegal searches, but there are recognized ways it can still be admitted. The clear exception is inevitable discovery: if the police would have found the same evidence by lawful means anyway, the evidence can be admitted despite the initial illegality. The rationale is that the evidence would have come to light regardless, so excluding it wouldn’t serve the rule’s purpose.

The other scenarios don’t create an exception. A coerced confession is excluded because coercion violates due process and rights against self-incrimination; a long delay by itself doesn’t make illegally obtained evidence admissible; and simply finding evidence in a public place isn’t an automatic exemption to the rule.