What does the Fourth Amendment protect individuals from?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution specifically protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. This foundational aspect of the amendment ensures that law enforcement and government authorities must have a valid reason or probable cause to conduct searches or seizures of personal property.

This protection means that, in most cases, police officers need to obtain a warrant, which is issued by a neutral magistrate based on a demonstration of probable cause. The amendment serves to uphold the right to privacy and to prevent arbitrary interference from the government in individuals' lives. Consequently, any search or seizure conducted without proper justification or legal backing can be deemed unconstitutional and may result in the evidence obtained being inadmissible in court.

Other options relate to different rights and protections. Judicial misconduct addresses ethical violations within the judicial system, excessive fines and bail relate to the Eighth Amendment, and concerns about illegal surveillance by the media do not directly fall under the protections provided by the Fourth Amendment. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the core intent of the Fourth Amendment.