What is the primary goal of the Fourth Amendment?

The primary goal of the Fourth Amendment is to protect individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This amendment requires law enforcement to have probable cause and a warrant in most cases before conducting searches or seizing property, thereby safeguarding citizens' privacy and personal security. It plays a critical role in maintaining the balance between the needs of law enforcement and the rights of individuals, ensuring that governmental powers do not infringe upon personal liberties arbitrarily.

By focusing on unreasonable searches, the Fourth Amendment aims to prevent abuses of power and protect individuals from governmental intrusion into their private lives, which is foundational to the principles of a free society. Other choices, while representing important rights, do not encapsulate the specific focus of the Fourth Amendment as it pertains to search and seizure protections.