Which exception allows evidence obtained from an unconstitutional act to be admitted if officers believed it was lawful?

The Good Faith Exception allows evidence obtained from an unconstitutional act to be admitted in court when law enforcement officers have a reasonable belief that their actions were lawful at the time. This principle stems from the idea that if officers acted with a good faith belief in the legality of their conduct, the evidence should not be excluded merely because a subsequent court finds the actions to be unconstitutional. This exception acknowledges that law enforcement officials often make mistakes in the heat of the moment and helps to prevent the exclusion of evidence that could significantly impact the pursuit of justice.

The importance of this exception lies in balancing the need for effective law enforcement with the protection of individual rights. It underscores that the intent and belief of officers play a critical role in determining the admissibility of evidence.

Other options focus on different doctrines that have specific applications in legal contexts, such as the Independent Source Doctrine, which allows evidence obtained independently of an illegal search, and the Inevitable Discovery Doctrine, which permits evidence if it would have been discovered through lawful means regardless of the unlawful actions. The Probable Cause Exception is not a recognized legal doctrine in the context of this question.