The document discusses the purpose and history of the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures by the government and requires warrants be based on probable cause. It originally only applied to the federal government but has since been incorporated to also apply to state and local governments. The Fourth Amendment aims to prevent general warrants that do not specifically describe the location and items to be searched or seized.

1. Lesson 33 Danny S, Lauren B, Linnea H, Curtis B, James D

2. What is the purpose of the Fourth Amendment? Originally limited only the powers of the federal government, it has been applied to state and local government by its incorporation into the 4 th Amendment 4 th Amendment does not specifically state that it protects the right to privacy. The 4 th Amendment prohibits law enforcement officers from searching or seizing people or their property unless there is probable cause – a good reason for suspecting a person of breaking a law.

3. What is the purpose of the Fourth Amendment? (cont.) If a judge a judge or magistrate agrees there is probable cause to suspect a violation of law, the law enforcement officers is given a warrant – a written document giving permission for a search and seizure. The 4 th Amendment has been interpreted to allow search and seizures without a warrant under certain circumstances. Warrants must specifically describe the place and person or thing to be searched and seized.

4. What is the history of the Fourth Amendment? English common law protected the right to privacy by prohibiting judges from giving law enforcement officials general warrant – that did not describe in detail the places and the person or thing to be searched or seized. General Warrants have been referred to as open-ended “hunting licenses” authorizing government officials to search people, their businesses , homes, and property indiscriminately.

5. What is the history of the Fourth Amendment? In 1662 Parliament passed a law that permitted general warrants called writs of assistance. the writs gave government officials the power to search for goods that had entered the country in violation Today every constitution contains a clause similar to the 4 th Amendment