Lesson 31: How Do the Fourth and Fifth Amendments Protect against Unreasonable Law Enforcement Procedures?

Lesson Purpose

The Fourth Amendment limits the powers of government officials to search and seize individuals, their homes, their papers, and other property. The Fifth Amendment contains several other important protections for criminal defendants, including protection from self-incrimination. This lesson focuses on the Fourth Amendment and the protection from self-incrimination in the Fifth Amendment. It examines the history of these protections and why they were important to the Framers.

When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to explain the purpose and history of the Fourth Amendment and issues raised by its interpretation. You also should be able to explain the importance of the Fifth Amendment provision against self-incrimination. Finally, you should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on contemporary issues involving the Fourth Amendment and self-incrimination.