Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Practice Exam

When detaining a known convicted robber, what legal principle prevents action from being taken?

1. Self-defense

2. Good Samaritan Law

3. Fruit of the poisonous tree

4. Exclusionary rule

The correct answer is: Fruit of the poisonous tree

The correct answer, relating to the legal principle that prevents action from being taken when detaining a known convicted robber, is the concept known as "fruit of the poisonous tree." This principle pertains to evidence that has been obtained through illegal means, specifically as a result of a violation of the individual rights protected by the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. If an arrest or detention is made without a proper legal basis, such as probable cause or a warrant, any evidence or actions taken as a result of that unlawful detention can be deemed inadmissible in court. This means that if a law enforcement officer detains a known convicted robber without the appropriate legal grounds, any subsequent evidence gathered or actions taken may be considered "tainted" and thus cannot be used in legal proceedings. The other options do not directly pertain to the legality of the detention itself. Self-defense is a justification for the use of force but does not apply in this context where an arrest is concerned. The Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection to those who assist others in peril, which is unrelated to the detainment of a criminal. The exclusionary rule does share a connection to procedural misconduct, but it specifically refers to the barring of evidence in court rather