{"id":352384,"date":"2023-10-13T10:50:32","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T15:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/text-of-the-fourth-amendment.html"},"modified":"2023-10-13T10:50:32","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T15:50:32","slug":"text-of-the-fourth-amendment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/text-of-the-fourth-amendment.html","title":{"rendered":"Summary of the Fourth Amendment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Summary of the Fourth Amendment<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/rhonda-earhart-esq\/\">Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            October 13, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. It requires police to get a warrant based on probable cause, though there are exceptions for some circumstances. Examples of case law and Supreme Court decisions illustrate how these protections have been interpreted and applied over time.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most sacred protections of the\u00a0<a style=\"font-size: inherit\" href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/bill-of-rights.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bill of Rights<\/a><span style=\"font-size: inherit\">\u00a0is the\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-size: inherit\" href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment4.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fourth Amendment<\/a><span style=\"font-size: inherit\">. This Amendment protects civilians&#8217; rights to liberty, property, and privacy. The Fourth Amendment also protects people from\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-size: inherit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/search-and-seizure-and-the-fourth-amendment.html\">unreasonable search and seizure<\/a><span style=\"font-size: inherit\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In 1788, the government ratified the United States Constitution. This document outlines the rights and obligations of U.S. citizens. Over the years, Congress has approved several amendments to the Constitution.<\/p>\n<p>The following is a summary of the Fourth Amendment, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A brief history<\/li>\n<li>The text of the Amendment itself<\/li>\n<li>How the Supreme Court defines its protections<\/li>\n<li>Examples of case law that explain some of the constitutional law decisions handed down over the years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are facing criminal charges, consider contacting a local <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal law attorney<\/a> for legal advice specific to your situation. An attorney can review the circumstances of your case to determine whether evidence was obtained legally, which can be pivotal to your case&#8217;s defense.<\/p>\n<h2>Background of the Fourth Amendment<\/h2>\n<p>In 1760, when Britain controlled the territories that would become the United States, the crown increased its control over trade by issuing &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/constitutioncenter.org\/the-constitution\/historic-document-library\/detail\/james-otis-against-writs-of-assistance-february-24-1761\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">writs of assistance<\/a>.&#8221; Colonial smugglers were trading with and enriching the enemies of England. Their smuggled goods avoided taxation, which shortchanged the English treasury.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, the British implemented the &#8220;writs of assistance&#8221; as a blanket warrant to enter any ship, building, or home to search (and seize, if necessary) any suspicious goods in colonial ports.<\/p>\n<p>This action angered many colonists who saw it as an overreach \u2014 an &#8220;unreasonable&#8221; search and seizure. Several states instituted protections against these unreasonable searches and seizures in their constitutions before ratifying the U.S. Constitution&#8217;s Fourth Amendment.<\/p>\n<p>The courts first said the Fourth Amendment related to evidence in a criminal matter in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/116\/616.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Boyd v. United States<\/i><\/a>\u00a0in 1886. Interestingly, the Fourth Amendment did not initially apply to the states. This only happened once it was incorporated via the Fourteenth Amendment. The landmark Supreme Court case on this point was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/supreme-court-insights\/mapp-v--ohio-case-summary--what-you-need-to-know.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Mapp v. Ohio<\/i><\/a><i>\u00a0<\/i>in 1961.<\/p>\n<h2>Summary of the Fourth Amendment<\/h2>\n<p>The Fourth Amendment is very brief. Despite its importance, it&#8217;s only one sentence long. It has two clauses: the &#8220;unreasonable search and seizure&#8221; clause and the &#8220;warrants&#8221; clause.<\/p>\n<p>The text of the Fourth Amendment reads as follows:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<i>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<\/i>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/the-fourth-amendment-warrant-requirement.html\"><i>Warrants<\/i><\/a>\u00a0<i>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.&#8221;<\/i><\/p>\n<p>When John Adams, James Madison, and the other creators of the Constitution first drafted the Bill of Rights, they had no idea how the criminal justice system would change. When the states ratified the Constitution, the courts followed common law, not federal and state statutes.<\/p>\n<p>Over the decades, the courts have continued to provide more details about how and when these protections apply. The courts must protect national security and other government interests, but they must also ensure that the courts afford defendants due process. They also demand law enforcement officials act in good faith when conducting searches, seizures, and lawful arrests.<\/p>\n<h2>Uncertainty Over the Fourth Amendment Text<\/h2>\n<p>Although ratification of the Fourth Amendment answered any lingering questions about the validity of the writs of assistance in the United States, the Fourth Amendment text raised questions of its own.<\/p>\n<p>There was great debate over the intended meaning of the terms &#8220;unreasonable,&#8221; &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/search-seizure.html\">search or seizure<\/a>,&#8221; &#8220;warrant,&#8221; &#8220;particularity,&#8221; &#8220;oath or affirmation,&#8221; and &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/probable-cause.html\">probable cause<\/a>.&#8221; Congress also questioned the scope of protection offered for &#8220;houses, papers, and effects.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Supreme Court, lower federal courts, district courts, appellate courts, and state courts have spent more than 230 years grappling with the questions raised by the Fourth Amendment&#8217;s text and continue to do so as new cases come before them. For example, consider the challenges presented by new technology \u2014 thermal imaging, drone technology, metadata, etc. There are always new boundaries to explore.<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, courts have clarified the rights protected by the Fourth Amendment. For example, the Supreme Court ruled that people have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/when-the-fourth-amendment-applies.html\">reasonable expectation of privacy<\/a>\u00a0in their bodies, clothing, and personal belongings. Similarly, homeowners have a privacy interest that extends from their homes to the surrounding area, called curtilage.<\/p>\n<p>Deciding where to draw the line on privacy and determining how to apply the rights to criminal procedure are still debated by state courts and the Supreme Court today. FindLaw has a more extensive discussion if you want to learn more about court decisions about\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/search-and-seizure-and-the-fourth-amendment.html\">Fourth Amendment protections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is a Search and Seizure?<\/h2>\n<p>When most people hear the phrase &#8220;search and seizure,&#8221; they envision somebody coming into their home and searching for proof that they engaged in criminal activity. But when the Constitution protects people against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/illegal-search-and-seizure-faqs.html\">unreasonable search and seizure<\/a>, it refers to any action by a law enforcement officer that involves a search of your person or property.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you are walking down the street and a police officer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/what-is-stop-and-frisk-.html\">stops you and frisks you<\/a> for weapons, that is a search. If they take any items during the search, it is a seizure.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/search-seizure.html\">search and seizure<\/a> also happens when a police officer enters your home or business and searches for items within the structure.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, any search and seizure must be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/u-s-constitution-fourth-amendment.html\">reasonable and justified<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Question of Reasonableness<\/h2>\n<p>When a law enforcement officer searches <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/searches-and-seizures-the-limitations-of-the-police.html\">your home or person<\/a>, they must do so in a reasonable manner. They must limit their search to places that reasonably contain the object they are searching for.<\/p>\n<p>When the court determines whether a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.congress.gov\/browse\/essay\/amdt4-3-1\/ALDE_00013715\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">search and seizure<\/a>\u00a0was reasonable, it will ask if a reasonable person would have believed that a crime had happened. It will also consider if a reasonable person, given the circumstances, would think that an instrument of the alleged crime happened in the place to be searched.<\/p>\n<h2>Determining Probable Cause<\/h2>\n<p>Before a police officer can execute a search and seizure, they must determine that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/probable-cause.html\">probable cause<\/a> exists. Probable cause requires the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Law enforcement officials have a reason to believe that a crime happened, and<\/li>\n<li>The person to be searched or arrested committed the crime, or that evidence of the crime is at the location to be searched<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The police officer must have more than mere suspicion that a crime took place. They must make their decision based on facts and knowledge, that is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Specific<\/li>\n<li>Objective<\/li>\n<li>Articulable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When a judge considers whether a search was reasonable, they must consider the totality of the circumstances. They must examine what the police officer knew during the search and seizure. They must also ask themselves if a reasonable person, given the same facts and knowledge, would have believed a crime happened and that the person arrested committed it. The officer must lay these facts out for the magistrate upon <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/search-warrant-requirements.html\">issuance of the warrant<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Reasonable Suspicion Is Not Enough<\/h3>\n<p>The Supreme Court clarified that law enforcement needs more than mere suspicion before they search. This is especially true for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/the-fourth-amendment-reasonableness-requirement.html\">warrantless searches<\/a>. The police officer must have the knowledge and facts necessary to support a finding of probable cause.<\/p>\n<p>Reasonable suspicion is a standard slightly below probable cause. According to the courts, reasonable suspicion exists when a police officer has a reasonable and objective belief that a suspect committed a crime, is committing a crime, or is about to commit a crime.<\/p>\n<p>This is the standard the Supreme Court has ascribed to &#8220;stop and frisk&#8221; situations.<\/p>\n<h2>Search Warrant Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>Almost all searches and seizures need a warrant. In nearly all cases, the police must have either a search warrant or an arrest warrant signed by a judge. The search warrant must specify that probable cause exists. It must also describe the facts surrounding the execution of the warrant.<\/p>\n<p>There are certain situations in which a police officer or other member of law enforcement may execute a search and seizure without a warrant. These situations include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/consent.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Consent<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Brief stop (stop and frisk)<\/li>\n<li>Evidence of crime in plain view<\/li>\n<li>Exigent circumstances<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the police conduct a warrantless search, they must justify their actions to the court. Your criminal law attorney can also challenge the search, arguing that the police violated your Fourth Amendment rights.<\/p>\n<h3>Consensual Search<\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes, the police receive consent to search a home, building, person, or vehicle. The person who consents to the search must have clear authority. For example, if a police officer knocks on a door and the person who answers confirms that they live there, the officer may gain consent from that person.<\/p>\n<p>If the officer reasonably believes the person who gives consent has the power to consent, they can engage in a warrantless search. If the resident refuses to consent, the police must get a warrant. But, the officer is not required to tell the homeowner, resident, or guest they can deny consent.<\/p>\n<h3>Stop and Frisk<\/h3>\n<p>Over the years, many defendants have complained that the police stopped them and searched them without probable cause. In\u00a0<i><a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/392\/1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Terry v. Ohio<\/a><\/i>, the Supreme Court determined that the police do not need probable cause to stop and frisk a suspect.<\/p>\n<p>The officer must only have reasonable suspicion that a suspect committed or is about to commit a crime. Police must show they have the facts and knowledge to support their suspicion.<\/p>\n<p>During a stop and frisk, the officer may only search the suspect for weapons. They are not allowed to search them for drugs or other paraphernalia.<\/p>\n<h3>Plain View Doctrine<\/h3>\n<p>If a police officer sees an item in plain view, they have the right to seize it. According to the Supreme Court in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/traffic-stops\/vehicle-search-and-seizure.html\"><i>Harris v. U.S<\/i><\/a>., as long as the officer has a right to be where they view the object, they can legally seize it.<\/p>\n<p>The courts base this rule on the common-sense principle that you cannot expect people to ignore what is right in front of their faces. The officer does not need probable cause to seize evidence found in plain view.<\/p>\n<h3>Exigent Circumstances<\/h3>\n<p>The courts have held that the police can execute warrantless search and seizure under exigent circumstances. These circumstances exist in the following situations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The suspect may escape<\/li>\n<li>To prevent harm to a police officer or others<\/li>\n<li>To preserve evidence that the suspect or related party may destroy<\/li>\n<li>Any other circumstances that may frustrate the ability of law enforcement to carry out their legitimate duties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Suppose the police conduct a warrantless search of your person or property, and you do not feel they had justification to do so. You should\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact a criminal law attorney<\/a>\u00a0immediately. This is especially true if the police arrest you after the search.<\/p>\n<h2>Arrest vs. Detainment<\/h2>\n<p>Legally, an arrest is a seizure under the Fourth Amendment. But, if the police merely detain you, it may not constitute a seizure. Thankfully, ample case law addresses the difference between arrest and detainment.<\/p>\n<p>Detainment is when police stop a suspect and temporarily detain them for questioning or an investigation. For example, imagine that somebody robbed a convenience store. You are walking by the store when the police arrive. If they stop you to ask if you saw anything or participated in the robbery, that is detainment.<\/p>\n<p>When the police detain a person, they do not need probable cause. They only need a reasonable suspicion that the person participated in the crime or had pertinent information about it.<\/p>\n<p>The police make an actual arrest when they take you into custody based on the belief that you committed a crime. The officers typically handcuff you, read your Miranda rights, and take you to the police station or local jail. The police must have probable cause to arrest a suspect.<\/p>\n<h2>Vehicle Searches<\/h2>\n<p>One situation that has raised many questions happens when the police search your vehicle.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/traffic-stops\/vehicle-search-and-seizure.html\">Vehicle searches<\/a>\u00a0have seen a lot of attention from the courts. These searches are subject to the protections offered by the Fourth Amendment. But this does not mean the police need a warrant to search your car, truck, or SUV.<\/p>\n<p>Police may do a warrantless <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/traffic-stops\/police-traffic-stops-and-vehicle-searches-faqs.html\">search of your vehicle<\/a> in certain situations. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You consent to the search<\/li>\n<li>The officers have probable cause to believe there is evidence of a crime in your vehicle<\/li>\n<li>Evidence of a crime is in plain view<\/li>\n<li>The officer has reason to believe there is a weapon in the vehicle that threatens the safety of the officers or others<\/li>\n<li>A search incident to an arrest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You have the right to refuse to let the police search your car. Just know that they may proceed with the search anyway and seize any evidence they find. Your <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal law attorney<\/a> can challenge the search later. The court will deem any evidence recovered in an unlawful search inadmissible.<\/p>\n<p>The rules for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/traffic-stops\/when-can-the-police-search-your-car-.html\">searching a vehicle<\/a> are less strict than those for searches of a home or other building. People expect less privacy in their cars than in their homes or businesses.<\/p>\n<h2>Electronic Surveillance and Wiretaps<\/h2>\n<p>Wiretapping is an example of a search and seizure. Technically, any information taken <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/do-the-police-have-the-right-to-tap-my-telephone.html\">through a wiretap<\/a> or other eavesdropping mechanism is evidence, and the state can use it against you. But, there are strict rules about electronic surveillance and wiretapping.<\/p>\n<p>Not only are there federal wiretapping laws, but almost all states also have wiretap laws. For example, according to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nysenate.gov\/legislation\/laws\/PEN\/250.05\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Penal Code Section 250<\/a>, it is illegal to use a mechanical wiretap unless you have the consent of at least one of the parties to the conversation.This is the law in most states. In some states, you need the consent of both parties to record a telephone conversation.<\/p>\n<p>If the state launches a criminal prosecution against you and introduces evidence recovered as a result of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/cell-phone-privacy-and-warrant-requirements.html\">electronic surveillance<\/a> or wiretapping, your attorney can challenge the admissibility of that evidence.<\/p>\n<h2>Exclusionary Rule<\/h2>\n<p>The point of requiring law enforcement to refrain from engaging in illegal searches and seizures is to protect would-be defendants. If the state uncovers evidence in an unlawful investigation, it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/evidence-law.html\">cannot use that evidence<\/a> in court. (This does not necessarily mean the state cannot use this evidence to secure a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/how-does-a-grand-jury-work.html\">grand jury<\/a> indictment).<\/p>\n<p>Under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/the-fourth-amendment-and-the-exclusionary-rule.html\">exclusionary rule<\/a>, the judge must exclude evidence recovered during an illegal search and seizure. The rationale is that had the police officers honored your Fourth Amendment rights, they would not have found the evidence in the first place.<\/p>\n<h2>Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine<\/h2>\n<p>One doctrine that falls under the exclusionary rule is the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/fruit-of-the-poisonous-tree.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fruit of the Poisonous Tree<\/a>&#8221; doctrine. According to this rule, the courts must exclude any evidence that is a by-product of an illegal search.<\/p>\n<p>The best way to describe the &#8220;Fruit of the Poisonous Tree&#8221; doctrine is to envision a tree. The trunk and main branches represent the illegal evidence found during the initial search. The tree&#8217;s smaller branches, leaves, and fruits are tainted or poisoned. Police would only have uncovered this evidence if law enforcement had performed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/illegal-search-and-seizure-faqs.html\">illegal search<\/a>. So, the judge must throw out the fruit on that tree.<\/p>\n<h2>Protect Your Fourth Amendment Rights: Talk to an Attorney<\/h2>\n<p>Police can&#8217;t search you and seize your property whenever they please. But sometimes, a search isn&#8217;t considered a &#8220;search&#8221; under constitutional protections. At the same time, the law doesn&#8217;t give members of law enforcement the right to violate your constitutional rights.<\/p>\n<p>If you believe you have been the victim of a Fourth Amendment violation, contact an experienced\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a>\u00a0near you today for help.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" 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d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    High-stakes criminal defense situations often require legal help\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Defense attorneys can help protect and assert your Fourth Amendment rights\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>An experienced attorney can increase your chances of a favorable outcome in court. Many attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If you need an attorney, find one right now<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Fourth Amendment protects civilians from &#8220;unreasonable search and seizure.&#8221; Read a summary in FindLaw&#8217;s Criminal Rights section.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":352345,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2729],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-352384","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-criminal"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352384"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":389081,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352384\/revisions\/389081"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352384"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=352384"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=352384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}