The right of the people to be secure
in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
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 to be seized.
Vocabulary:
affirmation: something said
to be true, a positive statement
effects: personal belongings
oath: a formal promise or vow
seized: took by force
violated: disobeyed, broken,
warrants: documents that allow
an officer to make a search, seizure or arrest.
Rewrite Amendment in your own words
in the space below. Print it out and give it to your instructor or teacher or
copy and paste it into an e-mail to send him/her.
Discussion Questions:
What limitations should there
be on the government searching your home? Your belongings? Your mail, e-mails,
Internet searches? What about people's medical records?
What should the government be
allowed to do with the information they seek on citizens? Can it be stored,
shared and with whom?
There is always a balance between
public safety and privacy for citizens in their homes. How should this be
balanced?
What rights should schools have
to search students' belongings or school property that is assigned to them
such as lockers or desks?
