The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by establishing that people have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against any unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that law enforcement officers generally need a warrant issued by a judge, based on probable cause, in order to conduct a search or seizure. However, there are certain exceptions to this warrant requirement, such as when there is consent, exigent circumstances, or when the search falls under a recognized exception to the warrant requirement like the plain view doctrine. Additionally, the amendment also requires that any warrants issued must be specific, meaning that they should specifically describe the place to be searched and the items or persons to be seized.
