[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H1295-H1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE REFORM ACT WILL HELP REDUCE CRIME

  (Mr. JONES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JONES. We have all heard stories about suspected criminals that 
have had their cases dropped due to illegal searches. I, like all 
Americans, believe strongly in the fourth amendment which bans 
unreasonable search and seizures. However, the number of dismissed 
cases is on the increase.
  We have police officers risking their lives each and every day to put 
these criminals behind bars only to later have the criminals released 
on a technicality.
  Under current law, judges must ignore evidence which was gathered 
illegally based on present interpretation, even when police thought 
they were acting legally. This must stop. We cannot allow criminals to 
control us.
  [[Page H1296]] The Exclusionary Rule Reform Act allows a good faith 
exception to be adopted. It ensures that violent criminals will not be 
released on a technicality if a search or seizure was conducted in good 
faith. People are tired and fed up with the justice system.
  Let us give the people a sense of security and pass H.R. 666. The 
police desperately need this help in fighting crime. The American 
people are demanding help from elected officials in reducing crime.

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