Determining the effect (the social costs) of exclusion under the South African exclusionary rule: should factual guilt tilt the scales in favour of the admission of unconstitutionally obtained evidence?
Abstract
Section 35(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 governs the
exclusion of unconstitutionally obtained evidence in criminal trials. Three groups of
factors must be considered to assess whether unconstitutionally obtained evidence
should either be excluded or admitted. This contribution is focussed on the third
group of factors (also known as the "effect of exclusion", or the "social costs of
exclusion") which consists of the "seriousness of the charge faced by the accused",
and the "importance of the evidence to secure a conviction". This group of factors is
concerned with the public interest in crime control. Some scholars argue that the
"public mood" should be a weighty factor when our courts consider this group of
factors.
Against this background this article considers three issues: First, whether
considerable weight should be attached to the "current mood" of society when our
courts weigh and balance this group of factors against other relevant factors;
secondly, whether a consideration of the "seriousness of the charge" and the
"importance of the evidence for a successful prosecution" could possibly encroach
upon the presumption of innocence; and, thirdly, whether factual guilt should be
allowed to tip the scales in favour of the admission of unconstitutionally obtained
evidence when the evidence is crucial for a conviction on a serious charge.