"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 4th Amendment is probably, next to the First Amendment, the most recognizable to the average American. After all, how many times have we seen some television character answer the front door and politely ask the police waiting there if they have a warrant? The founders fashioned this amendment after having endured the uncertainty and tyranny of British soldiers conducting searches whenever the spirit moved them to do so, typically with no more cause than bare suspicion or vengeance. Unfortunately, the Fourth Amendment is singularly threatened in our modern society, and is threatened more now than ever.
