Premium Essay

The 4th Amendment

In:

Submitted By kconex2002
Words 3844
Pages 16
Analyzing The Fourth Amendment And Its Impact On The Safety Of Law Enforcement Officers

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
1. ABSTRACT 3
2. INTRODUCTION 4
3. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE 7
4. RELEVANT COURT CASES 9
5. PROPOSED CHANGE 13
6. SOCIAL IMPACT 16
7. CONCLUSION 17
8. REFERENCES 18

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America and its impact on law enforcement. Close attention will be paid to the ability of police officers to frisk people, vehicles and occupants of vehicles, also commonly referred to as Terry stops. Currently, the rule of law is that police officers are not able to frisk solely on the basis of officer safety and that they must have a reasonable belief that a person is armed and dangerous prior to frisking. This paper will propose a new standard police should follow. Finally, an examination will be done on the social impact of this new proposed standard.

Introduction

As Americans, we enjoy freedoms that many around the world do not. These freedoms make us the envy, and the enemy, of millions. The foundation for these freedoms was laid long ago by our founding fathers. After the United States won its freedom from English rule they met to establish the constitution. From several years of schooling I know that in 1789 the first United States Congress met in New York, New York where they drafted what is now known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is made up of ten amendments to the original constitution. These amendments are still the basis for how America operates to this day, and they are as follows:
Article 1 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Essay On 4th Amendment

...Constitution, it would jeopardize individual liberty and give the federal government too much power. After fleeing the tyrannical monarchy of England, and battling in the Revolutionary War, the founders did not want this future nation to fall into the same fate. Eventually the Federalists and Anti-federalists agreed to a Bill of Rights, and in 1789 the Bill of Rights was ratified. Adding these 10 Amendments granted personal liberties and rights to the people, and further limited the power of the federal government. The 3rd and 4th Amendments both grant privacy and protection from the federal government in a person’s home;...

Words: 1290 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Study of the 4th Amendment

...STUDY OF THE 4TH CJUS367-1004A-05 Criminal Law Study of The 4th Amendment Study Of The 4th Amendment This particular assignment wants us to take a look at the 4th Amendment specifically, surrounding a make shift drug operation, that will more than likely involve an interrogation of some type with the suspects and a search. The 4th Amendment specifically deals with a person’s rights to be protected from illegal search and seizure, and having a right to be reasonably secure in their house or dwelling. In law enforcement, probable cause must first be established in order for police officers to make arrests, make vehicle stops, etc…If a person is placed under arrest, the Miranda rights must be read, in part it reads, “You have the right to remain silent, if you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you…” even criminals have rights, and their rights can’t be violated no more than any other citizens, that is why they have to know they have a right to not say anything if arrested and detained by law enforcement. The Constitution of the United States of America is a document, drawn up by our fore fathers designed to lay out the “unalienable” rights of each citizen, as “endowed by the creator”; as well as delegate powers and responsibility of each branch of government, but on the premise that no one branch of government should have exclusive...

Words: 970 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

4th Amendment Dbq

...The Fourth amendment states that you have the right of privacy in your home and body. However, that right was violated when the government scanned DLK’s home. Federal agents suspected that DLK was growing marijuana in his home, and scanned the outside of his home with a thermal imager. The thermal imager was able to detect unusual heat waved in certain places of the house. Thus, the question is, did the government go too far with the right to investigate a place as well as the right to take evidence by the government? The answer to that question is yes for three main reasons. The government violated DLK’s 4th amendment rights, a warrant was needed to scan the house, and the government invaded his privacy because they used technology that enhanced...

Words: 1063 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Law of the 4th Amendment

...Criminal Procedure 4th Amendment The 4th Amendment, and Article 1 Section 12 of the NY constitution prohibit unreasonable searches and seizures. A search or seizure is unreasonable when performed by the Government and not authorised by the warrant or conducted under circumstances given rise to an exception to the warrant requirement. The 4th Amendment does not prohibit, or require a warrant for reasonable searches and seizures. It is a restraint on government or state action, but does not prohibit private reasonable or unreasonable searches of seizures. The 4th Amendment does not require a warrant for searches of US citizen on foreign soil. Prob: Wife searched H briefcase and found videos in which H featured their 13 year daughter in a pornographic film. W turned the film over to a friend, a police officer, who used it to obtain an arrest warrant. H could not claim a 4th Amendment violation to suppress the film, because W is not an agent for the state, and thus there was no state action. For a warrant to issue a detached disinterest magistrate must find that the Government has demonstrated a substantial basis of probable cause. The Government must be able to show objectively that taking into account the experience and expertise of the officer, (i) for an arrest warrant it is more probable than not that a crime has been committed and that the person to be arrested committed that crime, or (ii) for a search warrant that is more probable than not that evidence...

Words: 3292 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

4th Amendment Vs Fourth Amendment

...of the crown. It may be frail—its roof may shake—the wind may blow through it—the storm may enter, the rain may enter—but the King of England cannot enter—all his force dares not cross the threshold of the ruined tenement." -William Pitt in Parliament in 1763- If freedom of speech, the first amendment, is the most important of our right than the Fourth Amendment, protection against unreasonable search and seizure is right behind it. To the framers of the constitution illegal search and seizure was deeply personal. British soldiers through writs of assistance had a blank check to search homes and personal belongings, this is likely why they included protections from such searches...

Words: 880 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

4th Amendment Case Summary

...to search them. Prior Proceeding: This case was heard in the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The Plaintiff was found guilty and sentenced to one to three years in prison. The Plaintiff filed an appeal. Issues presented or questions of law: (1) Whether the Plaintiff Fourth Amendment rights were violated. (2) Whether an illegal search was conducted by the police officer...

Words: 383 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

4th Amendment Due Process Essay

...confessions that were procured after violent interrogation. The Fourteenth Amendment Due Process was violated when a confession obtained and physical torture was used to convict the defendant. Police tried to carry out the confession as evidence but was overrule because it would violate the due process of the Fourth Amendment. A teenager was arrested one charge of murder, and questioned by police, without benefit of counsel or any friend to advise him. Later he signed a confession typed by the police. This confession stated that he would admit to the evidence, and later was convicted. The methods used in obtaining this confession...

Words: 1278 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

4th Amendment Seizure in Home Brief in Support of Motion to Suppress Evidence

...Defendant’s person subsequent to a warrantless arrest for which Defendant was wrongly suspected of being a Jewelry Store Burglar based on static details given by an anonymous caller and police observation that something “sparkly” was in Defendant’s van, further Defendant never “voluntarily” consented to the warrantless arrest, and most notably seizure for the arrest in question occurred inside the threshold of Defendant’s home? Table of Contents Page Question Presentedi. Table of authoritiesiii. Statement of the case1 summary of the argument2 Argument3 I. MR. BOBBY LANE’S FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED WHEN he was SIEZED INSIDE THE THRESHHOLD OF HIS HOME WITHOUT WARRANT, ABSENT PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE JEWELRY BURGLARY, OR A CONCENT EXCEPTION. THEREFORE, THE COURT SHOULD GRANT THE MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE3 A. Defendant Was Inside The Threshold Of...

Words: 5468 - Pages: 22

Premium Essay

King Case Study Individual Paper

...future cybercrime cases. A description will be given as to how the Fourth and Fifth Amendments are applied to cybercrimes, as well as an explanation how the Fourth and Fifth Amendments were addressed in this case. Further explanation on how the King ruling may apply to other cases involving computers or other devices that contain electronic evidence is provided. The 4th and 5th Amendments Applied To Cybercrimes The 4th Amendment can be applied to cybercrimes, but not the 5th Amendment. However, the 4th Amendment’s protection in regards to computers, the Internet and cybercrimes can only be applied to data content, not all content. An example of data content is found within remote storage files on computers and private email interactions. When the data is non-content data, i.e. email addresses, there is no assumption of guaranteed coverage and protection ruled under the 4th Amendment. Unlike the 4th Amendment, the 5th Amendment cannot always provide legal protection to an individual. The federal court made such a ruling in 2012, asserting that personal computers lacked the coverage many assumed was in place after the 4th was seen as a viable use for protection of individual rights. Application to This Case The 4th and 5th Amendments were addressed in the case of the United States of America v. Richard D. King, Jr., as with many involving an attempt to claim the defendant’s 4th and 5th Amendment rights have been infringed upon by the law enforcement investigation. In the provided...

Words: 973 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Police Dogs

...poliocePolice Dogs and the 4th Amendment Kenda Julius The University of Phoenix CJA/304 Police Dogs and the 4th Amendment The 4th Amendment Americans have protection from the law doing any unreasonable search and or seizure. The American people take the 4th Amendment very seriously and when they feel it may have been breached by law enforcement, action is usually taken. However, does the 4th Amendment also pertain to “drug sniffing police dogs”? Do police dogs need to obtain a search warrant when drugs are thought to be smelled? The Supreme Court of The United States of America recently has decided that police dogs may not search or sniff without a warrant. Florida v Jardines In December 2006 surveillance was being set up outside the home of Mr. Jardines. Miami-Dade police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had gotten a tip that the Jardine household may be growing marijuana and trafficking the drug as well. On the morning of December 05, 2006 a police detective and his drug dog went up to the porch of the Jardine home. The dog “Franky” immediately set down, which is the communication the dog uses for positive drug smell. This information was then used to obtain a search warrant. Needless to say Mr. Jardine had over $700,000.00 in marijuana and was arrested. Invasion of Mr. Jardines Privacy and Trespassing Intrusion of the home is what Mr. Jardine says happened. His front door was shut and the front patio of a home is a part of the home. Therefore...

Words: 534 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Amendment One Essay

...Amendment Essay Twenty-seven amendments have been ratified since the original signing of the Constitution, the first ten of which are known as the Bill of Rights. The Amendments to the United States Constitution have had a major effect on American life. A major feature of the Constitution is the capability of changing the document in order for it to become accustomed to the changing times and conditions. There are a few methods in order to change the Constitution. An amendment proposed by 2/3rds vote in each house of congress could be approved by either one of two ways. It must be either ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislature or by the Constitutional Conventions in 3/4ths of the states. To approve an amendment proposed at a National Constitutional Convention it must also be ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislatures or by a Constitutional Convention in 3/4ths of the States. The First Amendment, freedoms, is one of the most known and the most important of all. A historical event that led to this amendment was that the new American settlers brought with them a desire for democracy and openness after the American Revolution. They left behind a history of tyranny and official control of information. Using this experience as their guide, the constitutional fathers wrote into their new Constitution a Bill of Rights, which contained the First Amendment. This Amendment was created so that the people would have the freedom to express themselves without worrying. Disagreement to...

Words: 549 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Study Sheet for Police Academy

...Study Sheet Unit 3.1 Constitutional Law 1. Identify the purpose of the Constitution of the State of Nevada. 2. State the purpose of the Bill of Rights 3. State the purpose of the First Amendment 4. State the purpose of the Second Amendment 5. State the purpose of the Fourth Amendment 6. State the purpose of the Fifth Amendment 7. State the purpose of the Sixth Amendment 8. State the purpose of the Eighth Amendment 9. Explain the purpose of the 14th Amendment as it relates to the Bill of Rights. 10. List the two pertinent clauses in the 14th Amendment as they relate to Police. 11. Explain the affect the 14th amendment has on citizenship. Unit 3-2 Criminal Law 1 1. Explain difference between criminal and tort law 2. Define the term “Law” 3. Define the term “Statute” 4. Define the term “Crime” 5. Differentiate the various classifications of crime per NRS 193.120 6. Identify the Various courts having jurisdiction in Nevada 7. Differentiate between NRS and County/City Ordinance 8. Demonstrate how to use the Nevada Revised Statues (NRS) to locate various crimes 9. State the elements of NRS 193.190 (to constitute crime there must be unity of act and intent) 10. State the elements of NRS 193.200 (Intent) 11. State the elements of NRS 193.210 (When person considered to be of sound mind) 12. Identify who is capable of committing a crime pursuant to NRS 194.010 13. State the elements...

Words: 1244 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Exclusionary Rule

...a hearing. But really you were set up by your twin brother because he was next in line for the CEO position of your business. Because there were no rights protecting you, you were wrongfully accuse and charged for the crime you didn’t do. This wouldn’t have happen if there was a rule call the Exclusionary rule, evidence gather by search and seizure in violation of the Constitution is dismiss from the state court explained Jared W. Olen, author of Jared W. Olen Website. The Constitution was created as a law of the country to govern the people and give them rights in a free society. This Constitution cover 27 Amendments, enables the people to live and prosper with freedom and equality. The Exclusionary rule prohibits law enforcement from conducting unlawful search, seizure, and getting a confession unlawfully. The United States of American establishes the 4th Amendment to protect its citizen from law enforcement to illegally entering people house to...

Words: 1225 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Constitution

...Constitutional Policing CRJ201 June 28, 2015   Title of Your Essay The 4th amendment of the United States Constitution states “The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable search and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things seized.” I believe that many cases have been brought to the United States Supreme Court define the constitutionality of the 4th amendment. I strongly believe that this is a fundamental for all law enforcement officers, and officers of the court to follow and strictly adhere to while they are excluding the duties of there occupation. In the case of Weeks vs. United States, police officers entered the home of Freemont Weeks and seized lottery papers which were used for his conviction in court. This seizure of papers was done without a lawful search warrant and done so in violation of the 4th amendment which was the main issue of this case. The evidence seized was used against Mr. Weeks in court and ultimately Mr. Weeks was convicted and sentenced to time in prison. There were several laws that the courts used in determining the outcome of this petition including Boyd vs. United States. “As was there shown, it took its origin in the determination of the framers of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution to provide for that instrument a Bill of...

Words: 942 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Constitutional Safeguards

...Criminal Law Foundations Evaluations Kelly Meier CJA 484 06/01/2014 Keith Carr The Constitutional safeguards provided by the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments to the United States Constitution describe the means to the principle of due process. These laws are set into place to ensure a safer living environment for all citizens. This paper will focus on these rights and the safeguards with in a juvenile setting as well as adult setting on a day to day basis. The 4th Amendment was put into place to prohibit unreasonable search and seizures of ones property without reasonable cause and without a warrant. Over time the Supreme Court has allowed some changes to this Amendment such as; allowing the police to search a person that has been arrested, the officer sees something in plain sight and search property where the officer feels that there may be danger to their self or the suspect. When it comes to juveniles there are restrictions on this amendment. Only juveniles under age 18 that have been accused of criminal conduct are granted the 4th amendment rights. If the juvenile is being accused of non-criminal behavior the constitution has not been defined (Kenneth T. Hanley, Fourth Amendment Protection for the Juvenile Offender: State, Fordham L. Rev. 1140, 1981). The 5th Amendment states that “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval...

Words: 759 - Pages: 4