The Fourth 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 probably cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

The fourth amendment guarantees that without a warrant, the search and seizure of persons, houses, documents (papers), and effects (weapons) is illegal.  The reason that this amendment came into place is because of the Writs of Assistance, when the kings men at any place and time could arrest anyone, and the founding fathers wanted to protect the people from this being able to happen.  The government officials cannot search or seize without probable cause and a warrant authorized by a court.  But this amendment does not protect things that are in plain view or things that one might say to give the official probable cause. Something else that is important that comes from the fourth amendment is the Exclusionary Rule stating that any evidence taken in violation of the fourth amendment cannot be used in a criminal trial.  

This image shows how no matter where you live, it is important to be able to protect your rights to privacy.  

Both of these images show that the fourth amendment is very important to all people and protecting their property and their rights, and unfortunately that not all government officials follow the rules stated in the fourth amendment.