Read on to find out how this critical law can make a difference in your criminal case. Fourth Amendment Explained.The search and seizure laws only protect residents of California when they are in situations or places they can have a reasonable expectation of privacy. The Fourth Amendment is meant to protect individuals from unlawful and unreasonable search and seizure of their personal property. While driving a stolen vehicle would be to overlook the word 'unreasonable' in the Fourth Amendment's proscription against. 'unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment's rule against unreasonable searches and seizures mean the police cannot search you or your vehicle unless one of the following is true. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment generally requires police to obtain a warrant before conducting a search. The 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prevents the government from conducting unreasonable searches.