This discussion aligns with the Learning Objectives on the “Rules of Evidence.”

Read Case Scenario note below:

Brief Synopsis: “FBI agents in California learned that the defendant drove from New Mexico to California to meet a teenager whom the defendant had had sexually explicit online conversations on the Internet. The agents also had evidence that the defendant and the teenager drove back to New Mexico together. The agents informed New Mexico police, who sent an officer to observe the defendant’s home. Seeing the teenager inside in a state of undress, the officer entered the home and arrested the defendant. In a search accompanying the arrest, the officer found evidence of child pornography. The defendant was charged with bringing a minor across state lines for sexual purposes, and possession of child pornography. Defendant moved to suppress all the evidence gathered from the search of his home, which the prosecution conceded was illegal.

TASKS:

I. Summarize your understanding of the case.

II. Respond to the following questions:

• Q: What is the purpose of the exclusionary rule?
• Q: Should it apply in this case? Why or why not?
• Q: Should the evidence be suppressed? Must the prosecution show there was an independent investigation underway that would have uncovered the same evidence? United States v. Christy, 739 F.3d 534 (10th Cir. 2014)

Instructions

REMEMBER that your initial response should have a minimum of 350-500 words. Expressing an opinion is not enough. You will be evaluated on the consistency and quality of your posts

As a reminder, you are not sending out a text message or tweet, so when writing your post, use proper English, grammar, and writing mechanics.