What is meant by "inevitable discovery" in legal terms?

"Inevitable discovery" refers to a legal principle that allows evidence obtained through illegal means to be admissible in court if law enforcement can demonstrate that the evidence would have been discovered lawfully regardless of the unlawful action. This doctrine serves to balance the need for the preservation of citizens' rights against the necessity of having pertinent evidence available in court proceedings.

By establishing that the evidence in question would have been uncovered through lawful methods, the justice system aims to ensure that guilt is proven based on solid evidence rather than merely procedural violations. This principle helps prevent the exclusion of valuable evidence that could have been obtained through entirely lawful investigatory practices, reinforcing the importance of justice even in the face of errors made by law enforcement.