The Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure

The Fourth Amendment establishes critical protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, reflecting the framers' apprehension toward government overreach. It stipulates that warrants must be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.

This amendment ensures that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their persons, houses, papers, and effects. Over the years, various Supreme Court rulings have shaped the interpretation of this amendment, addressing contemporary issues such as electronic surveillance and the use of technology in law enforcement.