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 exclusionary rule prohibits the government from using illegally obtained evidence to prove a criminal defendant's guilt.First, the search must be "justified at its inception. " Second, the search must be "permissible in its scope. The Fourth Amendment prohibits the United States government from conducting "unreasonable searches and seizures. A defendant must file a motion before trial requesting the court to exclude such evidence from trial (to "suppress" the evidence). New York Search and Seizure Laws. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects all U.S. citizens from unlawful search and seizure. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects all U.S. citizens from unlawful search and seizure. This means that law enforcement agents need probable cause, and a warrant in most cases, to search your person or belongings.