What was a key concern in Bumper v N. Carolina regarding searches?

In Bumper v. North Carolina, the primary concern centered around the validity of consent given under coercion. The case addressed whether consent to search a home was truly voluntary when the police had claimed they had a search warrant, even though they did not possess one. The Supreme Court held that consent must be given freely and voluntarily; if a person believes they have no choice because of a police assertion of authority, the consent given cannot be considered legitimate.

This ruling emphasizes the importance of ensuring that individuals are not subjected to coercion when consenting to searches, thereby protecting Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. The court found that a search conducted under such coerced consent is unconstitutional, highlighting the necessity of genuine consent in legal searches.