Michelle, Sam, Sydney
U.S. vs Leon
Name of the Case: United States v. Leon
Year of the Case: 1984
Appellant(Plaintiff) Who is making this appeal: United States
Apellee (Defendant): Alberto Leon
Facts of the Case:
 Exclusionary rule requires any evidence acquire illegally must be excluded from
the criminal trial
 The affidavit for the warrant for the search of Leon’s house was insufficient
o did not establish probable cause
Decision of the Lower Court
 The evidence (large quantity of illegal drugs) could not be included in the trial for
the violating federal drug laws
Legal Aspects of the Case
 What are the reasons why the Supreme Court granted cert?
o In order to consider the propriety of a modification
 Which Constitutional rights are in dispute?
o Whether a good faith exception should apply to the exclusionary rule
should be recognized
Decision of the Supreme Court
 What is the Constitutional basis for the court’s decision?
o The 4th amendment
 Is this a loose or strict interpretation of the Constitution?
o Loose
The Rule of Precedent
 What is the legal rule which can be applied to similar cases?
o The rule cannot deter police in a case like Leon, where they act in good
faith on a warrant issued by a judge