Fourth Amendment Activities

Apply landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to search and seizure issues at your school, in your car, and your home.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." Fourth Amendment, U.S. Constitution

Activities

Brendlin v. California
Passengers, police stops, and protection from unreasonable seizure

New Jersey v. T.L.O.
Purse search at school and protection from unreasonable searches

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  The Constitution, through the Fourth Amendment, protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Find cases that help define what the Fourth Amendment means.

  Learn what a scholar says about the landmark Supreme Court case New Jersey v. T.L.O. dealing with the authority of school officials to search students’ possessions at school.

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