Which amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is designed to protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This amendment establishes the principle that law enforcement must have probable cause and, in most cases, a warrant approved by a judge to conduct searches or seize private property. It aims to ensure a balance between individual privacy rights and the need for law enforcement to maintain public safety and enforce the law.

The context of this protection stems from a historical reaction to British practices prior to the American Revolution, where individuals could be subjected to arbitrary searches. The Fourth Amendment thus embodies the foundational American value of personal privacy and the necessity of governmental accountability when infringing upon that privacy.