The Fourth Amendment protects against which government action?

• A. Unreasonable searches and seizures
• B. Cruel and unusual punishment
• C. Self-incrimination
• D. Double jeopardy

Answer: (A)

Protecting privacy by limiting government power to search personal spaces and seize property is what the Fourth Amendment does. It bars unreasonable searches and seizures and generally requires a warrant based on probable cause, describing the place to be searched and the items to be seized. This mechanism ensures that ordinary government intrusion is justified and minimizes arbitrary intrusions into individual rights. The other options relate to different protections: the Eighth Amendment bans cruel and unusual punishment, and the Fifth Amendment guards against self-incrimination and prohibits double jeopardy. So, the action described—unreasonable searches and seizures—fits the Fourth Amendment best.