"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Search: Occurs when a government agent intrudes upon a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
Seizure: Occurs when the government interferes with a person’s property or restricts their movement.
The amendment ensures people are protected from arbitrary government intrusions into their bodies, homes, documents, and belongings, and sets the standard that such interference must be reasonable.
A warrant is a legal document allowing law enforcement to conduct a search or seizure. For a warrant to be valid, it must:
Searches and seizures without a warrant are generally presumed to be unreasonable, but there are exceptions:
The Fourth Amendment applies to government actions (e.g., police, federal agents), not private individuals unless acting on the government’s behalf.
It supports the exclusionary rule, meaning illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible in court:
Technological changes have led to new legal interpretations:
The Fourth Amendment is a cornerstone of privacy and freedom, requiring the government to justify its intrusions and ensuring that the rights of the people are protected against overreach—especially as technology continues to evolve.