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Northern Essex Community College

Module 10 Prep Activity

Review the activity overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

This activity is designed to help you understand how constitutional law and court decisions shape the ways police obtain and use evidence in criminal cases. You will examine two significant case law decisions that have influenced police search and evidence-gathering practices, using both course readings and outside sources. By summarizing each case, you will identify how legal standards have evolved and how they affect law enforcement procedures today. You will also analyze one justification for warrantless searches and explain how it fits within constitutional protections. The goal is to strengthen your understanding of evidence law, police authority, and the balance between public safety and individual rights.

Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the prep activity and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Illustrate the importance of the Exclusionary Rule as it protects both the criminal defendant and policing. (SLO1)
  • LO2: Discuss the various exceptions to the Exclusionary Rule. (SLO6)
Prep Topic

After completing this week’s assigned readings, prepare to participate in an in-class discussion examining how constitutional case law has shaped modern policing and the collection of evidence.

Before coming to class, prepare a bulleted list (not full paragraphs) that includes:

  • Two landmark court decisions that have significantly influenced how law enforcement officers obtain, collect, or use evidence in criminal investigations.
  • A brief summary of each case, including the facts, the Court’s ruling, and its significance. How each decision has affected law enforcement practices or the rights of individuals.
  • One recognized justification for a warrantless search and an explanation of when it may be lawfully applied.
  • At least three arguments supporting the position that current search and seizure laws appropriately balance public safety and individual rights.
  • At least three arguments supporting the position that current search and seizure laws either provide too much authority to law enforcement or impose excessive restrictions on criminal investigations.
  • Which position you currently find more persuasive, and why.
  • One question or observation you would like to discuss with your classmates.
Acceptable & Ethical Use of AI
  • Use AI to help you organize and clarify the key legal principles from major case law that affect how police obtain and use evidence, supporting your understanding before writing your case summaries.
  • Use AI to assist you in understanding and structuring the explanation of a justification for warrantless searches, helping you connect constitutional reasoning to policing practice before completing the activity.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your prep activity.

  • Your prep should be no longer than one page.
  • This is not a paper; it should consist of concise talking points and bullet statements for our in-class discussion.
  • An abstract is not required.
  • Sources are not required.
  • Focus on key concepts, analysis, and examples that will help guide classroom discussion.
  • Do not overthink this activity. A simple list of well-developed talking points is sufficient.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your prep activity through the designated submission area.
  • Accepted formats include Word or PDF unless otherwise specified.
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
  • Submissions are checked using both a plagiarism checker and AI detection software.
  • Direct quotations should not exceed 15% of the total submission.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. AI may be used only in the limited and ethical ways described above. Using AI to write your submission is considered academic dishonesty. This activity is intended to prepare you for class discussion, so focus on creating your own talking points and analysis.

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