The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated. The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,.The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from conducting "unreasonable searches and seizures. It is consistent with the history of the Fourth Amendment and with the structure of protection in the closely related area of constitutional property. The phrase "persons, houses, papers, and effects" shows the Amendment's focus on property rights. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. Amendment Four to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the American people from unreasonable searches and seizures. To vote for a proposed constitutional amendment, fill in the oval next to the word "Yes" on that question. Hennepin County, Minnesota.