Some people may believe that violations of civil liberties during the search of one’s office, property, possessions, or person are something that only criminals have to worry about, yet any citizen can become the subject of a search. Many of these searches can be conducted without a warrant or even proof of probable cause—at traffic stops, at border crossings and airport checkpoints, and even in school. In theory, the Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizures, but definitions of unreasonable and probable cause shift with each generation and are open to the subjective interpretation of police officers, lawyers, and court judges. This book reveals the long history of shifting interpretations of Constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and the most important precedents—including up-to-the-minute, currently unfolding cases—that have helped determine what is considered reasonable, which instances require warrants, and when privacy rights must yield to the needs of public safety. Most importantly, it highlights the urgency of the issues surrounding freedom from searches and the importance of insisting upon privacy rights. Includes the text of the Constitution’s Preamble and the complete Bill of Rights.
