What does the Fourth Amendment protect individuals against?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution specifically protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This amendment establishes the principle that people have a right to privacy in their persons, houses, papers, and effects. It mandates that law enforcement must have probable cause and, in most cases, a warrant issued by a neutral judge before conducting searches or seizures of an individual’s property. This protection is crucial in safeguarding individuals from arbitrary or invasive governmental actions that could infringe upon their privacy and personal freedoms.

While other amendments address related rights—such as the Eighth Amendment, which deals with cruel and unusual punishments, and other civil rights against discrimination—these are not the focus of the Fourth Amendment. The core issue it addresses is the necessity for due process when it comes to personal privacy and security in the face of law enforcement authority.