What does the Fourth Amendment protect individuals from?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is primarily concerned with protecting individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures. It establishes the right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, emphasizing the necessity of warrants being judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause. This provision is crucial in maintaining the balance between individual privacy and the need for law enforcement to carry out their duties.

The guarantee of protection from unreasonable searches and seizures means that law enforcement must generally obtain a warrant based on probable cause before conducting searches or making arrests. This safeguard aims to prevent arbitrary or unjust actions by government officials, thereby protecting citizens' rights to privacy and security in their private spaces.