What does the 4th Amendment protect individuals from?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution primarily protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures conducted by the government. This protection reflects a fundamental principle of privacy and security, ensuring that a person’s home, property, and personal effects cannot be searched or seized without a warrant issued based on probable cause. The intent of this amendment is to safeguard citizens from arbitrary governmental interference and to maintain a balance between individual rights and the needs of law enforcement.

While the other choices pertain to important protections under different amendments—such as self-incrimination being covered under the Fifth Amendment, excessive bail addressed in the Eighth Amendment, and freedom of assembly related to the First Amendment—they do not fall under the specific protections afforded by the Fourth Amendment. Therefore, the focus on unreasonable searches and seizures is critical in understanding the nuances of individual rights as established by the constitutional framework.