The Fourth and Eight Amendments
Protecting people's rights since 1791
The Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment is one that helps to secure privacy to the people. It prohibits the government from unreasonable search and seizure (without a warrant). This can be a good thing and a bad thing, as most Amendments can. Basically, it says that it is illegal just to barge into places, search people, and take away certain things for your convenience. Many cases on this amendment have been very controversial, such as medical search and seizure for drug tests, searching people for no reason and finding bad stuff, and eminent domain. A lot of these can be argued either way and it is up to the judges to decide what is right and what isn't.
Cameras are always searching and watching what people do.
Almost everyone needs a warrant to search a house, unless they have a really valid reason.
Cops often push their boundaries and try to enter homes without warrants.
The Eight Amendment
The Eight Amendment is not debated as much as some other ones are, but it is still widely talked about. What it does is prohibit excessive bail, fines, and the inflicting of cruel and unusual punishments. It mainly means that you can't get charged $100,000 for forgetting to pay for the parking meter for your spot. You won't have to pay $1,000,000 to get out of jail for accidentally shoplifting something. Although you will still have to pay a hefty amount for some bail fines, because breaking the law is still breaking the law. Capital punishment is the most argued case having to deal with the Eight Amendment, as it is a cruel and unusual punishment, but sometimes what the one being executed did is worthy of it, sometimes not so much.
Excessive fines are not allowed.
Excessive bail (money to get our of jail) fines are prohibited.
Cruel and unusual punishment (like electric chairs, needles with poisons, hanging) are not allowed.
In Conclusion
These two amendments are very important in securing the unity and safety of our nation. Without people's privacy, and power hungry, money crazy, fine imposing governments, our nation would surely crumble. The best we can do is abide by the laws and fight for our rights, so always fight for what you believe in!