What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

The Fourth Amendment protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that law enforcement must have probable cause and, in most cases, a warrant to conduct searches of a person's property or seize their belongings. The intent behind this protection is to uphold an individual's right to privacy and limit the power of the government in intruding into personal spaces. This amendment is vital in establishing the legal standards that must be followed to ensure that citizens are not subjected to arbitrary or unjustified invasions of their privacy.

The other options pertain to different rights protected under the Bill of Rights: the right against self-incrimination is addressed by the Fifth Amendment, excessive bail is covered by the Eighth Amendment, and protection against double jeopardy is found in the Fifth Amendment as well. Each of these amendments plays a distinct role in safeguarding the rights of individuals within the legal framework of the United States.