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.

Introduced 1981-07-24· Sponsored by Rep. Beard, Robin [R-TN-6]· House

Bill Progress

Introduced
2
Committee
3
House Vote
4
Senate
5
Enacted
Latest: Referred to Subcommittee on Criminal Justice.(1981-09-16)

Plain Language Summary

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] 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