What is the effect of the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine?

• A. It extends the exclusionary rule to evidence derived from the initial illegality.
• B. It allows derivative evidence to be admitted if the original error is harmless.
• C. It applies only to physical evidence.
• D. It negates the exclusionary rule.

Answer: (A)

The main idea behind the fruit of the poisonous tree is that the exclusionary rule applies not only to evidence obtained through an illegal action, but also to any evidence derived from that illegality. When police engage in an unlawful search, arrest, or interrogation, the taint can extend to later discoveries that flow from that initial illegality, so those derivative items or statements are typically excluded as well. This prevents a bad police action from paying off by leading to more incriminating material. There are exceptions—such as attenuation, independent source, or inevitable discovery—but the default is that derivative evidence is excluded. That’s why this option is the best match: it accurately states the effect of the doctrine. It’s not limited to physical evidence, nor does it negate the exclusionary rule, and it isn’t simply overridden by a harmless-error reasoning.