Plain-English Explanation
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. It generally requires a warrant supported by probable cause, though courts recognize exceptions such as consent and exigent circumstances.
Relevant Provision
U.S. Const. amend. IV.
Relevant Decisions
Katz v. United States
389 U.S. 347 (1967)
Held that the Fourth Amendment protects people, not places, and applies where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Terry v. Ohio
392 U.S. 1 (1968)
Permitted brief investigative detentions and limited pat-down searches based on reasonable, articulable suspicion.