The United States Constitution's Fourth Amendment and the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights' Article 14 each protect us from unlawful searches and seizures. The 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people and not places.The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from conducting "unreasonable searches and seizures. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated. Every subject has a right to be secure from all unreasonable searches, and seizures, of his person, his houses, his papers, and all his possessions. What Does the Fourth Amendment Protect? In this session, students will examine the historical context and the drafting of the Fourth Amendment. Citizens may not be tried on the same set of facts twice and are protected from self-incrimination (the right to remain silent). Official announcement of ratification was not made until January 8, 1798, when President John Adams in a message to Congress stated that the Eleventh Amendment. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects Americans from random and arbitrary stops and searches.