What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

The Fourth Amendment is a key part of the United States Constitution that specifically protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that law enforcement authorities cannot search a person's property or seize their belongings without a valid reason, which typically requires a warrant based on probable cause. The intent of the amendment is to safeguard individual privacy and ensure that any intrusion by the state into personal spaces is justified and authorized by law.

The choice that highlights unreasonable searches and seizures encompasses all forms of unwanted government intrusion, including homes, vehicles, and personal effects, thus reinforcing the fundamental right to privacy. By focusing on this broad protection, the Fourth Amendment ensures that citizens are shielded from arbitrary government actions that could infringe upon individual freedoms.