Fourth Amendment Protections
Constitutionality of Police Searches
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution addresses the limits placed on how police can conduct searches. It states: 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 hings to be seized. The development of the Fourth Amendment, while building upon British experience, drew its impetus from the colonial experience with the so-called "writs of assistance," general warrants…
