Fourth Amendment jurisprudence

The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This means authorities generally need a warrant, supported by probable cause, to search your property or seize your belongings. Courts balance individual privacy rights against law enforcement interests, allowing searches without warrants only in specific situations, like emergencies or if there's consent. Over time, legal rulings have clarified what constitutes reasonable searches, aiming to prevent unjustified invasions of personal privacy while permitting police to enforce the law effectively.