Reading Assignment for Section 2.1

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 2.1: Contours of the Fourth Amendment (Note: This section spans multiple pages).

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll explore the historical roots of the Fourth Amendment and discover how it was shaped by abuses under British rule. You’ll learn about the key protections it provides against unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as the legal standards of probable cause and privacy expectations. Finally, you’ll examine important exceptions to the warrant requirement and their impact on modern law enforcement practices.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 2.1

• SLO 1: Explain the historical origins of the Fourth Amendment, including its development in response to abuses under British rule, such as general warrants.
• SLO 2: Identify and interpret the key components of the Fourth Amendment, including protections against unreasonable searches and the requirement for warrants based on probable cause.
• SLO 3: Analyze the legal standards of “probable cause” and “reasonable expectation of privacy” as they apply to searches and seizures.
• SLO 4: Evaluate the significance of the Fourth Amendment in procedural law, particularly its role in balancing law enforcement powers with individual privacy rights.
• SLO 5: Discuss exceptions to the warrant requirement, including consent, exigent circumstances, and searches incident to arrest, and assess their practical implications in law enforcement.