Understanding the Fourth Amendment

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

• Unreasonable search and seizure

• Freedom of speech

• Cruel and unusual punishment

• The right to bear arms

What must law enforcement typically provide to obtain a search warrant?

• A hunch or suspicion

• Probable cause

• Permission from the property owner

• A witness's testimony

Which of the following scenarios is most likely to be considered a violation of the 4th Amendment?

• A police officer searches a backpack with the owner's consent

• A police officer searches a car after smelling illegal substances

• A police officer searches a home without a warrant or consent

• A police officer frisks a person after arresting them for a crime

The concept of "reasonable expectation of privacy" means that:

• People can expect privacy in all personal matters

• People have no expectation of privacy in public spaces

• People can expect privacy in areas where the average person would expect it

• Law enforcement officers must always respect privacy

What is probable cause?

• Reasonable certainty that a crime was committed or evidence is at the place to be searched.

• Proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed or evidence is at the place to be searched.

• A suspicion based on a person's behavior that a crime was committed or evidence is at the place to be searched.

• Evidence that is likely to convince a jury that a crime was committed or evidence is at the place to be searched.

Which of the following could be considered a search under the 4th Amendment?

• Observing someone's activities in a public park

• Using a thermal imaging device to detect heat patterns in a home

• Listening to a conversation in a restaurant

• Walking by a person's house on the sidewalk

Which of the following is not protected by the 4th Amendment?

• Private property

• Personal belongings

• Public spaces

• Personal correspondence

What is a warrant?

• document that allows law enforcement to search any property at any time without any specific reason.

• written permission slip given by the government to regualar citizens, allowing them to conduct searches on private property.

• written permission from a judge that allows police to search a person’s belongings or arrest them.

• A small species of ants that survives by taking over other ant colonies

Which person would NOT be considered a government official (state actor)?

• Teacher

• Police

• Prison Guard

• Ice cream store owner

When can police search WITHOUT a warrant?

• If you give them your concent

• To protect the officer's safety

• A warrant is always needed

• A and B