The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated. What Does the Fourth Amendment Mean?The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from conducting "unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment does not give individuals an absolute right to privacy; neither does it prohibit all searches. Amendment Four to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the American people from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment's rule against unreasonable search and seizures means that police may not search you or your property unless one of the following is true:. These protections are grounded in state law and the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution generally prevents the government from arresting or searching a person without a warrant. An annotation about the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.