search and seizure

     The United States Constitution guarantees that we will be secure in our "persons, papers, houses and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures". That is why the police need a search warrant to enter your home and look for something ( unless they have your permission ). The search warrant comes from a judge who has heard the testimony of the police as to what they want to search for, and why they think you have it. The search warrant states what the police are looking for, and where they may look for it ( usually an address ). They may only look in places where the thing ( or things ) might be. For example, if they are looking for a stolen bicycle, there is no point in opening cabinets or dresser drawers to look for it--that would be "unreasonable".