Comments: Blessed Are the Faithful: An Analysis of the Scope and Applicability of the Good Faith Exception to the Exclusionary Rule

The fourth amendment gives the people the right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures of their person, houses, papers, and effects. For years, the Supreme Court has mandated that any property seized in violation of the fourth amendment be excluded from evidence at the defendant\u27s trial. Recently, however, the Supreme Court has created a good faith exception to the exclusionary rule and caused uncertainty regarding the new exception\u27s application. The author reviews the development of the exclusionary rule and analyzes the effect of the good faith exception. The author also discusses the application of the exception to searches and seizures conducted with and without warrants, and considers the proper course for Maryland courts to follow