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 ...
In Mapp v. Ohio (1961), the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment applies to the states by way of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Like the rest of the Bill of Rights, the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution originally only applied in federal court. This changed in the U.S. Supreme Court case Mapp v. Ohio (1961). There, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment rights apply equally in state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Common Fourth Amendment Violations Warrantless Searches Without Consent or Probable Cause. Using Invalid or Overbroad Warrants. Unreasonable Use of Surveillance. Exceeding the Scope of a Lawful Search. Pretextual Stops and Searches. Search Incident to Arrest Without Legal Grounds. Coerced or Manipulated Consent.
Because the Fourth Amendment does not restrict the actions of state officers, 447 there was originally no question about the application of an exclusionary rule in state courts 448 as a mandate of federal constitutional policy.
Congress must call a convention for proposing amendments upon application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the states (i.e., 34 of 50 states). Amendments proposed by Congress or convention become valid only when ratified by the legislatures of, or conventions in, three-fourths of the states (i.e., 38 of 50 states).
The Fourth Amendment protects people “against unreasonable searches and seizures.” This protection extends beyond criminal investigations and guarantees privacy and dignity against many invasive acts by government officers. It even applies when the government plays the role of an employer.
The Fourth Amendment is very brief. Despite its importance, it's only one sentence long. It has two clauses: the "unreasonable search and seizure" clause and the "warrants" clause.
The Constitution, through the Fourth Amendment, protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. The Fourth Amendment, however, is not a guarantee against all searches and seizures, but only those that are deemed unreasonable under the law.
“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 ...