Home Searches Under the 4th Amendment

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“Home Searches under the 4th Amendment” The 4th Amendment is “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.” The following article describes the “only three ways into a home: Consent; Exigency; Warrant.” There have been many court cases involving the Consent of search and seizures, including Bumper v. No. Carolina, 391 U.S. 543 (1968) and Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177 (1990). These cases explain the proper methods in the consent of a search and seizure under the 4th amendment. Landlords cannot consent to searches if they are renting a room or dwelling to another person. The persons being searched can limit the area the police are allowed to search, they can also withdraw their consent at any moment during the search. In the case of Exigency, an officer has a right to enter if he is in pursuit of a fleeing felon. If the destruction of evidence is occurring that would result in a jail-able offense or to prevent the escape of a suspect. At any point there is a risk of danger to anyone, whether it be inside or outside the home, the police officers may enter. Once the exigent circumstance has passed, the officer would need consent or a warrant to continue in their search. Two cases in particular set the precedent for exigency in home searches, thus being Minnesota v. Olsen, 495 U.S. 91 (1990) and Illinois v. MacArthur, 531 U.S. 326 (2001). The third contingency being Warrants, what it takes to obtain one and how they are executed at the time of search and seizure. In this case, is there probable cause of a crime being committed. Does the officer believe

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