What does the Fourth Amendment prohibit?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution primarily protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This ensures that law enforcement officials cannot conduct searches of a person’s property or seize their personal belongings without a warrant or probable cause. The amendment plays a crucial role in safeguarding citizens' privacy rights, establishing that any evidence collected in violation of this amendment may be inadmissible in a court of law.

The other options presented relate to different amendments or concepts within the Bill of Rights. For instance, the prohibition against excessive bail and cruel punishments is outlined in the Eighth Amendment. Public trials are addressed in the Sixth Amendment, which ensures the right to a fair and public trial. The right against self-incrimination is found in the Fifth Amendment, which protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves in criminal cases. Understanding these distinctions is important for grasping the broader context of constitutional protections under the Bill of Rights.