1. Protection against UNREASONABLE search and seizure
4th Amendment
Protection against UNREASONABLE search and seizure

2. Legal searches In order for a search to be legal, police must have:
PROBABLE CAUSE—strong suspicion based on evidence
SEARCH WARRANT—court order from a judge. States the person/place to be searched, describes things to be seized

3. NO WARRANT NEEDED
Police may search without a warrant as long as it is REASONABLE
Most arrests take place without a warrant because there is PROBABLE CAUSE
Examples: cars, items in plain view, subject flees, garbage on the curb, emergency situations, airport

4. WARRANT NEEDED
Warrants are usually necessary in areas where people have REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS OF PRIVACY
Examples: Home, home telephone (wiretapping)