Question

Read this summary of the Katz v. United States Supreme Court case.

In 1965, a man named Charles Katz was suspected of sending gambling information over the phone to clients in other states, which is against federal law. Without obtaining a warrant, the FBI put a recording device on the public telephone booth Katz used. The recorded evidence led to his conviction. However, Katz challenged it on the grounds of the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Supreme Court ruled in Katz’s favor. The court ruled that the Fourth Amendment applies to recording devices, too. The justices based their decision on the idea that the law protects people and that Katz had an expectation of privacy when he entered the telephone booth.

How did the court change how the Fourth Amendment was viewed?
It ruled that the Fourth Amendment protects against all searches.
It ruled that the Fourth Amendment protects people, not places.
It ruled that the Fourth Amendment protects people in their homes.
It ruled that the Fourth Amendment requires warrants for searches.

Answer 1

How did the court change how the Fourth Amendment was viewed?

1. The Supreme Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment applies to recording devices as well as other types of searches and seizures.

2. The court also changed the traditional interpretation of the Fourth Amendment by ruling that it protects people, not places, meaning that individuals have an expectation of privacy when they enter any place which is regarded as private, such as a telephone booth.

3. Additionally, the Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment requires warrants for searches, meaning that law enforcement must obtain a warrant before they can search an individual's property or place of residence.