Fourth Amendment restrictions kept the FBI from monitoring Zacaria Moussaoui, an al-Qaeda agent who aided the September 11 hijackers.
The invention of modern eavesdropping devices and their frequent use by law-enforcement officials poses special challenges to the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Wiretapping, or electronic surveillance, remains a controversial issue. One shift in the battleground has occurred over the types of offenses that may justify issuance of a search warrant. In this photograph, taken on February 12, 1996, District Attorney Lynne Abraham of Philadelphia explains her support for proposed state legislation that would expand the types of offenses for which a wiretap may be authorized.
To protect against Fourth Amendment violations, law enforcement agencies, such as this unit using facial-recognition technology, do not participate in intelligence gathering.
Unreasonable Search and Seizure by
Some people believe that the USA PATRIOT Act and Homeland Security Act, passed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, violate the Fourth Amendment, which guarantees that U.S. citizens have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and belongings against unreasonable searches and seizures. Through full-color and black-and-white photographs, engaging text, and primary sources, this book examines the events leading up to the creation and ratification of the Fourth Amendment and its impact on modern American life, including how the Supreme Court must balance the rights of the individual against the needs of the government to keep the nation safe and how technological advances affect our privacy. Sidebars, a list of all ten Bill of Rights, and a glossary are also included.
Understanding Your Right to Freedom From Searches
The U.S. Constitution and Constitutional Law by
Although one of the shortest written constitutions in the world, the U.S. Constitution, designed to embody the rights, laws, and guiding principles of a diverse and ever-changing populace, remains an enduring document. Since its ratification in 1787, the Constitution has been applied to a broad range of legal and political questions and, while often the subject of much debate, continues to serve as a stalwart reminder of the country's social and legal strides. This detailed volume breaks down each section of the Constitution and its amendments, also providing a concise overview of the field of constitutional law as it is applied around the world and in various forms of government.
Landmark Supreme Court Cases by
Praise for the previous edition: "Recommended."—Choice "An excellent source for beginning researchers...unbiased...The discussion of the case's significance and its implications will be useful for students..."—School Library Journal Through its interpretations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Supreme Court issues decisions that shape American law, define the functioning of government and society, and address the most important issues of the day. No court in the country can overturn Supreme Court rulings. Famous cases like Roe v. Wade, Plessy v. Ferguson, Dred Scott v. John F.A. Sanford, and Miranda v. Arizona are among the most important decisions made by the court, but many others have also had a profound impact on the American way of life. Now available in three volumes, Landmark Supreme Court Cases, Second Edition has been extensively revised and updated to feature more than 600 of the most important and influential cases in American history. Intended for U.S. history and political science students, this encyclopedia contains concise, straightforward summaries, analyzing and explaining groundbreaking court cases on such issues as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, civil rights, labor unions, abortion, antitrust and competition, due process, search and seizure, executive privilege, and more. Organized chronologically by issue, each entry includes the case title and legal citation, year of decision, key issue, historical background, legal arguments, decision (majority and dissenting opinions), aftermath and significance, related cases, and recommended reading. Coverage includes: Baker v. Carr Bush v. Gore The Cherokee Nation v. Georgia Dred Scott v. Sandford Gideon v. Wainwright Korematsu v. United States Marbury v. Madison Plessy v. Ferguson Roe v. Wade Rumsfeld v. Padilla.