4th Amendment

Source: Elian Gonzalez Seized From His Miami Home, April 22, 2000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7tZ_DU5o1E



Constitutional Connection: Amendment 4: Search and Seizure

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."



Explanation of Connection:

While our police and other officials who help protect us are working some people can be unconstitutional in their actions. Elian Gonzalez rescued a drown child back in April of 2000. The police and SWAT came to the conclusion that he was kidnapping the child and thus they seized the Gonzalez's home. Even though this man and his actions appear innocent police still chose to take matters into their own hands.

This video clearly demonstrates Amendment 4 of the United States Constitution. US citizens have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects. This situation went with the Constitutional right given to police officers and SWAT agents who successfully helped in a assumed kidnapping attempt. The constitution states " The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." This crime shows how the 4th Amendment was still in action today.

If this Amendment was not in action I believe things would be worse for both people and goverment officials such as SWAT agents and police officers. If this Amendment was not in place, when this child was kidnapped by Mr. Gonzalez the police would have had no way to search the home and retrieve the child. But, at the same time if this Amendent was in action and it involved the police wrongfully searching or seizing someones home it could have helped them retrieve their constitutional rights as well. I wonder what it would have been like if they never passed it?