Weeks v. United States - Impact

The Weeks case attracted little notice until Prohibition, when issues surrounding federal government searches and seizures often arose. In 1961, the Supreme Court applied the exclusionary rule to the states, in Mapp v. Ohio. This application became one of the Court's most controversial rulings. It formed part of the "Warren Revolution," lead by Chief Justice Warren. With Warren as its leader, the Supreme Court became the guardian of individual rights, part of which meant restricting the power of government regarding searches and seizures. Under the leadership of Chief Justice Burger, the Supreme Court leaned in the opposite direction, finding many exceptions to the exclusionary rule. Justice William H. Rehnquist led the crusade against the exclusionary rule in the 1980s and 1990s, substantially broadening the exceptions to the rule.