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 Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from conducting "unreasonable searches and seizures.No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects citizens' privacy. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects Americans from random and arbitrary stops and searches. This is called an "administrative search", and courts in the USA have found that these are distinct from "criminal searches". Mailed matter left open had no physical security and thus no constitutional security. The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits "unreasonable" searches and seizures. Specifically, it states: Amendment Four to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791.