The Fourth Amendment protects your right to privacy. 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's rule against unreasonable search and seizures means that police may not search you or your property unless one of the following is true:. The Fourth Amendment prohibits only "unreasonable searches and seizures. " The key word is "unreasonable. 48 On the other hand, the Court's solicitude for law enforcement objectives may tilt the balance in the other direction. "Speedy Trial: Practice and Procedure. Amendment Four to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the American people from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Massachusetts convention also ratified the Constitution with an attached list of proposed amendments.