What significant issue was addressed in Katz v. United States?

What significant issue was addressed in Katz v. United States?

• A. Self-incrimination in custodial interrogations
• B. Use of wiretaps without a warrant
• C. Search of personal property without due process
• D. Restriction of speech in schools

Answer: (B)

Katz v. United States is a landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the issue of privacy and the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The case involved federal agents who wiretapped a public phone booth used by Charles Katz, suspecting him of illegal gambling activities. The Court ultimately ruled that the use of wiretaps constituted a search under the Fourth Amendment, and thus required a warrant. The decision underscored the principle that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their conversations, even in public places like a telephone booth. This ruling expanded the interpretation of the Fourth Amendment beyond just physical searches to include technological intrusions on personal privacy, setting a precedent for future cases involving electronic surveillance. Therefore, the significant issue at hand was indeed the use of wiretaps without a warrant, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to respect individuals' privacy rights in the face of new technologies.

Katz v. United States is a landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the issue of privacy and the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The case involved federal agents who wiretapped a public phone booth used by Charles Katz, suspecting him of illegal gambling activities. The Court ultimately ruled that the use of wiretaps constituted a search under the Fourth Amendment, and thus required a warrant.

The decision underscored the principle that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their conversations, even in public places like a telephone booth. This ruling expanded the interpretation of the Fourth Amendment beyond just physical searches to include technological intrusions on personal privacy, setting a precedent for future cases involving electronic surveillance. Therefore, the significant issue at hand was indeed the use of wiretaps without a warrant, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to respect individuals' privacy rights in the face of new technologies.