Final answer:
Selective incorporation was applied in the Mapp v. Ohio case, leading to the application of the exclusionary rule in state courts. Changes in the Court's membership could affect future rulings on due process and the protection of Fourth Amendment rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selective incorporation is the process by which the protections of the Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. In the case of Mapp v. Ohio, the Supreme Court applied the exclusionary rule, which prevents the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial, to state courts. This decision ensured that Fourth Amendment protections against illegal searches and seizures would be enforced at the state level.
State legislatures could minimize the impact of the Court's decision in Mapp v. Ohio by passing laws that limit the exclusionary rule or create exceptions to its application. However, any changes to the exclusionary rule would need to be consistent with the constitutional protections provided by the Fourth Amendment.
Due process relates to the scenario because it guarantees that individuals are treated fairly and have their rights protected in legal proceedings. Changes in the membership of the Court could affect future rulings on this constitutional protection. Different justices may interpret the scope of due process differently, leading to potential changes in how the Court applies the exclusionary rule and protects individuals' Fourth Amendment rights.