4th Amendment: Search and Seizure
The 4th Amendment protects citizens from illegal searches and seizures. This means police need a warrant before they can search your car or home. This also requires the police to have to demonstrate probable cause to get a warrant.
Like all civil liberties, there are exceptions. If the police believe there is evident danger, they may enter a person's home. Should police violate a person's 4th Amendment rights, the evidence may not be allowed to be used in court. This is called the exclusionary rule (Mapp v. Ohio). This has led to some criticism of the Patriot Act and the practices of the NSA. Should the government be allowed to listen to private conversation, emails, and messages in an effort to prevent terrorism? |
5th Amendment: Due Process & Eminent Domain
The 5th Amendment is one of the most important in dealing with the justice system. It guarantees due process at the national level of government. This means that legal system (from police to courts) must treat all people fairly.