Less Power to Search Homes

The washington post reported that the Supreme Court recently ruled police officers must have a warrant to enter a couple’s home and look for evidence. Some viewed the decision as a victory for privacy rights expressed in the fourth amendment and gender equality while others viewed it as an obstacle to policemen fighting domestic violence. The law will make a significant difference nationwide. Previously, policemen could enter a home with the consent of only one of two adults living in the home. The new decision also does not overrule the courts previous ruling that a police officer may enter a home with the permission of one partner if the other is not there or is asleep. Police officers would also still be permitted to enter homes if one partner was seriously in danger.

In 1767 the British parliament issued the Writs of Assistance. Previously passed Navigation Acts had banned certain products. The British believed that smuggling of banned products had become popular. The writs of assistance gave customs officers a general search warrant. They could enter any home at any time and search for contraband. American colonists viewed this as a violation of their privacy. The Writs of Assistance was one of the many causes of the American Revolution. The fourth amendment to the American constitution in the bill of rights protected American citizens from decrees like the Writs of Assistance. The fourth amendment was a direct result of the Writs of Assistance.