What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This means that law enforcement must have probable cause and typically a warrant to conduct a search or seize property. The intent behind this protection is to safeguard personal privacy and maintain the dignity of individuals by ensuring that their belongings cannot be accessed without just cause or legal due process.

This protection is crucial in maintaining the balance between individual freedoms and governmental powers, ensuring that citizens feel safe in their homes and personal effects. The amendment reflects a fundamental principle in a democratic society, promoting the idea that privacy and security from arbitrary interference by the government are essential rights.

Other options refer to different amendments: self-incrimination is protected under the Fifth Amendment, double jeopardy is also a Fifth Amendment protection that prevents an individual from being tried twice for the same offense, and cruel and unusual punishment is addressed in the Eighth Amendment. Each of these protections serves different aspects of individual rights but does not pertain to the protections afforded by the Fourth Amendment.