What legal principle requires police to obtain a warrant before conducting a search?

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution specifically addresses the need for police to obtain a warrant before conducting a search. This amendment protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring that law enforcement must have probable cause and a judicially sanctioned warrant to search a person's property or belongings. This legal principle serves as a critical safeguard for individual privacy rights and upholds the rule of law within the criminal justice system.

The Fifth Amendment, while it includes protections against self-incrimination and guarantees due process, does not specifically govern search and seizure procedures. The First Amendment focuses on freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition, and is not related to search warrants. The Sixth Amendment pertains to the rights of individuals in criminal prosecutions, including the right to a fair trial and legal counsel, which is distinct from search and seizure topics addressed by the Fourth Amendment.