Amendment IV
Search and Seizure
Ratified December 15, 1791
The Fourth Amendment requires government searches and seizures to be reasonable, and most warrants to be supported by probable cause with particularity. Katz v. United States (1967) established the 'reasonable expectation of privacy' standard; Carpenter (2018) extended this to digital cell-site location data.
Full Text
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.
Annotated Version
The Bill of Rights document includes phrase highlights and court case references for this amendment.
Constitutional Framework
Original Text
U.S. Constitution
Articles I–VII (1787). The three branches, enumerated powers, and the framework these amendments modify.
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Amendments I–X
Bill of Rights
Ratified December 15, 1791. Freedom of religion, speech, press, arms, due process, and more.
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Later Amendments
Ratified 1795–1992. Abolition of slavery, equal protection, women's suffrage, and more.
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