A timely, historical look at Fourth Amendment jurisprudence, covering more than two centuries of search-and-seizure law, from landmark judicial decisions to enduring controversies. Unreasonable Searches and Seizures: Rights and Liberties under the Law provides a comprehensive exploration of the development of the Fourth Amendment from the late 18th century to the present. The work clearly explains complex legal questions and pivotal judicial decisions, illustrating the controversial nature of Fourth Amendment issues and differentiating between reasonable and unreasonable searches and seizures. Presenting a wealth of cases and examples, the authors analyze important developments, such as the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in Weeks v. United States (prohibiting federal courts from admitting evidence obtained in violation of the Amendment), the expansion of Fourth Amendment protections in the 1960s, the apparent weakening of rights since the early 1970s, and the contraction of the exclusionary rule in response to the war on drugs and the war on terror. A-Z listing of key individuals, historical events, and landmark court cases, including Boyd v. United States, the chief justiceship of Earl Warren, the Rehnquist Court, the war on drugs, and the war on terrorism Excerpts from critical primary documents, court decisions, and statutory provisions

Thoroughly updated and featuring 75 new entries, this monumental four-volume work illuminates past and present events associated with civil rights and civil liberties in the United States. This revised and expanded four-volume encyclopedia is unequaled for both the depth and breadth of its coverage. Some 650 entries address the full range of civil rights and liberties in America from the Colonial Era to the present. In addition to many updates of material from the first edition, the work offers 75 new entries about recent issues and events; among them, dozens of topics that are the subject of close scrutiny and heated debate in America today. There is coverage of controversial issues such as voter ID laws, the use of drones, transgender issues, immigration, human rights, and government surveillance. There is also expanded coverage of women's rights, gay rights/gay marriage, and Native American rights. Entries are enhanced by 42 primary documents that have shaped modern understanding of the extent and limitations of civil liberties in the United States, including landmark statutes, speeches, essays, court decisions, and founding documents of influential civil rights organizations. Designed as an up-to-date reference for students, scholars, and others interested in the expansive array of topics covered, the work will broaden readers' understanding of-and appreciation for-the people and events that secured civil rights guarantees and concepts in this country. At the same time, it will help readers better grasp the reasoning behind and ramifications of 21st-century developments like changing applications of Miranda Rights and government access to private Internet data. Maintaining an impartial stance throughout, the entries objectively explain the varied perspectives on these hot-button issues, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. Offers 686 alphabetically arranged entries, ranging from thoroughly updated entries from the first edition to 75 new entries that cover dramatic changes in civil rights and liberties in the last decade Covers the latest events and controversies surrounding civil liberties issues in America Fully explores the scope and limitations of Constitutional rights, a perennially hot topic in American politics and society Includes primary documents with contextual headnotes to enhance understanding of the full importance of the featured document Provides sources for further reading with each entry to help users engage in additional research