What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides protection against unlawful search and seizure, ensuring that individuals have a right to privacy and security in their persons, houses, papers, and effects. This protection means that law enforcement officials cannot conduct searches without a warrant obtained through probable cause or without consent, and it establishes that evidence collected in violation of this amendment may be deemed inadmissible in a court of law. The framers of the Constitution intended this amendment to safeguard citizens from arbitrary intrusions by the government, promoting a standard of respect for individual rights.

The other options, while they address important legal protections, pertain to different amendments. Self-incrimination is protected by the Fifth Amendment, excessive bail by the Eighth Amendment, and double jeopardy also by the Fifth Amendment. Each of these maintains its distinct focus, but the specific language and intent of the Fourth Amendment concentrate on preventing unreasonable searches and ensuring the proper procedure is followed in law enforcement activities.