Which case is widely cited for the 'fruit of the poisonous tree' concept as a critique of tainted evidence?

• A. Mapp v. Ohio
• B. Barnette
• C. Wong Sun v. United States
• D. Schenck v. United States

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine—the rule that evidence obtained through illegal government action is generally tainted, and not only that evidence itself, but other evidence derived from that illegality can be excluded as well. Wong Sun v. United States is the leading case that articulates and applies this concept. In this decision, the Supreme Court held that when police act illegally in making an arrest, the consequences extend to suppressing not just the directly seized items but also statements and other evidence that flow from that illegality. The Court emphasizes that the remedy should prevent “tainted” results from being used, though it also recognizes that there can be attenuation or independent sources that might permit some evidence to come in. This case is widely cited precisely because it crystallizes how taint spreads from an unlawful action to subsequent evidence and how suppression is applied.

For context, Mapp v. Ohio is about applying the exclusionary rule to state courts, but it doesn’t frame the taint concept as directly or famously as Wong Sun. The other cases listed are unrelated to this criminal procedure doctrine.