What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This constitutional safeguard ensures that law enforcement must have probable cause and, in most cases, a warrant issued by a judge before conducting a search of a person's property or seizing personal belongings. The intent behind this protection is to uphold the privacy and security of individuals against arbitrary or invasive actions by the state, thereby reinforcing the principle of personal liberty and the right to be free from unjust interference.

Other options listed, while important rights, pertain to different amendments or legal principles. The protection against excessive bail is covered under the Eighth Amendment, the right to bear arms is addressed in the Second Amendment, and equal protection under the law is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Each of these addresses different facets of individual rights and freedoms, but the Fourth Amendment is specifically focused on the security of personal property and privacy from governmental intrusion.