Inevitable Discovery Exception

The inevitable discovery exception is a rule in criminal procedure that allows illegally obtained evidence to be admitted in court. The exception states that evidence that was obtained illegally can be admitted if it would have been discovered by legal means. The exception is usually applied when the evidence is a weapon or a body. For example, a police officer may enter a murder suspect's home without a warrant.

The Supreme Court created the inevitable discovery exception in the case Nix v. Williams. The government must show that the evidence would have been discovered within a reasonable time. The exception can also apply to witness testimony if the prosecution can show that the witness is testifying of their own free will.

The inevitable discovery exception is different from the independent source doctrine. The independent source doctrine applies when the evidence was obtained independently from activities not tainted by the initial illegality.