Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure

Most Americans are unaware about when and where Fourth Amendment rights are at issue. This lesson will allow students to examine the text and interpretations of the Fourth Amendment to describe key terms and ideas like searches, seizures, and privacy, as well as define some of the key debates about where the Fourth Amendment is headed in an age of technology.

Kyllo v. U.S. (2001)

Is the warrantless use of a thermal imaging device to detect heat emissions from an individual’s home a reasonable search? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2001.

Grades 9-12
Judicial Branch/Supreme Court
Research (Digests of Primary Sources)