What does the Fourth Amendment prohibit regarding entries into a suspect's home?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that law enforcement officers generally need a warrant to enter a suspect's home, unless a specific exception applies.

The correct answer highlights that warrantless and non-consensual entry is prohibited. This underscores the idea that without a warrant, officers cannot legally enter a person's home unless they have consent from someone who has authority to give it, or unless an exigent circumstance exists, such as an immediate threat to safety or the destruction of evidence.

Entries into a home without a warrant or without the occupant's consent would violate the Fourth Amendment's protections. The reason this interpretation is critical in policing is to uphold individuals' rights and ensure that law enforcement respects the sanctity of the home as recognized by the Constitution.