The fourth amendment to the US constitution protects civilians against searches. The fourth amendment states that "each man's home is his castle," hence should be protected from unwarranted searches and seizures by government officials. Further, the fourth amendment protects citizens against unreasonable arrests by law enforcement agencies. One key point is that this amendment is the basis of the laws regarding surveillance such as stop and frisk, search warrants, safety inspections, and wiretaps. Another key point is that the law allows searches to be conducted on individuals and their properties when law enforcement agencies have acquires a search warrant supported by oath or affirmation and detailing the property and person to be searched. No, private citizens should not be allowed to collect evidence and turn it to the police. This happens since some ill-intentioned individuals would use the chance to deliberately cause havoc on other people's lives whom they consider “a threat” or “an enemy" by trespassing, stealing, and eavesdropping on their affairs to get evidence that would be presented to the police. The exclusionary rule states that any evidence uncovered during an illegal search is inadmissible in a court of law. This rule seeks to deter government agents, but not private individuals, from unlawfully searching citizens or their properties. In cases where a private citizen acting on behalf of a government agency searches a civilian or his property, the evidence found will not be admissible in a court of law. This happens since the exclusionary rule only bars government agencies and private citizens who act on behalf of the law enforcement agencies. On the other hand, if a private citizen searches another citizen and finds evidence, such evidence is admissible in a court of law. This evidence would be upheld by the court even if the person committed a crime such as a trespass or theft when doing the search. I believe that law enforcement agents, as opposed to private citizens, would use lawful means of collecting evidence that would be admissible in a court.
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