What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution specifically addresses the protection of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that law enforcement must have a valid reason, often supported by probable cause, to conduct searches of a person’s property or to seize their belongings. This amendment ensures that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy and that their personal effects cannot be searched or seized without just cause, thereby safeguarding against arbitrary governmental intrusion.

While the other options touch on important legal concepts, they are not explicitly covered by the Fourth Amendment. Unreasonable arrests may relate to the broader topic of due process and the protections against unlawful detention, but they do not directly specify searches or seizures. Similarly, while unreasonable police conduct and unreasonable fines are significant issues within law enforcement and legal practices, they are governed by different amendments and legal principles. Thus, the primary function of the Fourth Amendment is to guard against unreasonable searches and seizures, making that the correct choice.