4th Amendment
By Emanuel Clemente Lucas
Definition
The Fourth Amendment of the United States is the rights that protects people from being searched or having their things taken away from them without any good reason.
If any law enforcement wants to do that, they must have a very good reason to do that and must get permission to perform the search from a judge.
History of the 4th amendment
In the revolutionary war British soldiers went to people house and stayed there for as long as they want. Due to this when The U.S got their independence they made the 4th amendment so no officer would stay there and won't take ur rights away
Example
Weeks vs United States, 1914
- Police officers in Kansas City, Missouri went to the house of Mr. Weeks and used his hidden key to enter and search his home. While there, they took papers, letters, books, and other items. They did not have a search warrant. These items were used in court to find Mr. Weeks guilty of sending lottery tickets through the U.S. mail.
New Jersey vs T.L.O., 1985
- A female student was searched at school, and the evidence collected was used by the state in her delinquency trial in juvenile court. T.L.O. are the initials of the 14-year old girl who was caught smoking in the bathroom at school. Later, in the assistant vice principal’s office, she denied smoking. The assistant vice principal demanded her purse, and found a pack of cigarettes, rolling papers, marijuana, a pipe, plastic bags, a large amount of money, and a list of students who owed her money. The evidence was used by the New Jersey Juvenile Court to find her guilty of delinquency.
Vernonia School District vs Acton, 1995
- A school district adopted a policy authorizing random drug testing of student athletes. There was a known drug problem in the school district. Student athletes were among the drug users and dealers. Along with the drug problem came serious student behavior issues. By 1989, the school made a Student Athlete Drug Policy. James Acton, a 7th grader, refused the testing, and his parents refused to consent to the testing because of this, he was not allowed to participate in football. He sued the school district for violating his rights.
4th amendment why is it good?
This amendment is a good idea it protects you from law enforcement to not look at you house or other privacy you have. If this amendment wasn't made law enforcement would have been in your house by now searching for no reason.