HR 4259 · 97th Congress · Crime and Law Enforcement
A bill to amend titles 18 and 28 of the United States Code to eliminate, and establish an alternative to, the exclusionary rule in Federal criminal proceedings.
Bill Progress
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Introduced2
Committee3
House Vote4
Senate5
EnactedLatest: Referred to Subcommittee on Criminal Justice.(1981-09-16)
Plain Language Summary
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Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that evidence shall not be excluded from a criminal proceeding because it was obtained in violation of the United States Constitution. Makes the United States liable for damages resulting from a search or seizure conducted by a law enforcement officer acting within the scope of employment in violation of the Constitution. Permits recovery of actual and punitive damages not exceeding $25,000. Authorizes the court to award reasonable attorney fees. Limits recovery by a person convicted of an offense for which evidence was illegally seized to actual physical personal injury and property damage. Makes such action the exclusive civil remedy for a search and seizure violation of the Constitution. Authorizes a Federal agency to discipline an officer who conducts an illegal search or seizure upon a determination, after notice and hearing, that the officer lacked a good faith belief that the search or seizure was constitutional.…
Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only