Final answer:
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens by requiring law enforcement to have probable cause for searches and seizures, and ensures that evidence obtained illegally is inadmissible in court.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by making illegally obtained evidence inadmissible in court. This protection stands as a safeguard against government intrusion and excessive force by law enforcement in their quest to investigate crimes.
To initiate a search or seizure, law enforcement is required to demonstrate probable cause, often through a judicially approved warrant, tailoring their investigation specifically to what is detailed within that warrant. Furthermore, court cases such as Mapp v. Ohio and Katz v. United States have established and reaffirmed the principle that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment cannot be used to prosecute an individual.