Privacy Please
The 4th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
What the Bill of Rights Means to Me
Hi! I am Anna Dubinkin. I am originally from Russia, but I just became a United States citizen. I have learned a lot about this country. I want to help others learn about the protections that the Bill of Rights gives them. Some countries do not have these protections for their citizens, so we Americans should not take them for granted! Let's take a look at one of the 10 Amendments that protects people privacy and property: the 4th Amendment.
4th Amendment
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 to be seized.
The Bill of Rights
- The Bill of Rights include the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
- While the Constitution established the "government of the people," the Bill of Rights were added to describe the rights of the people.
- The Bill of Rights includes the freedoms and rights. Some freedoms include the freedoms of speech and religion. Some rights are the "right to bear arms" and the "right to remain silent" when questioned about a crime.
- It was ratified on December 15, 1791.
4th Amendment
- The 4th Amendment states that people's property and houses are protected from "unreasonable searches and seizures."
- A search warrant is required to search and seize homes and other property.
- This amendment implies an expectation of privacy for U.S. citizens. It is important for people to know their rights to privacy and against search and seizure without reasonable cause. We all have privacy and property rights!
4th Amendment Today
- The Supreme Court recently ruled that the 4th amendment applied to cell phones. An warrant is needed for police to search cell phones. (Supreme Court limits police searches of cellphones, USA Today).
- A New York Judge finds 'Stop and Frisk' practices of the NYPD unconstitutional: it violates the 4th amendment rights against "unreasonable search and seizure." ( Judge Rules 'Stop and Frisk' Unconstitutional, Newser).
To learn more about the Bill of Rights and the 4th Amendment, visit these sites.
- Bill of Rights Institute. Bill of Rights of the United States of America. http://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/
- National Archives and Records Administration. Bill of Rights Transcript Text. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
- United States Courts. What Does the Fourth Amendment Mean? http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/get-involved/constitution-activities/fourth-amendment/fourth-amendment-mean.aspx