What is protected by the Fourth Amendment?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is primarily concerned with protecting individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This means that law enforcement authorities must have probable cause or a warrant, backed by a judge's approval, to conduct searches of personal property or seize belongings. The framers of the Constitution included this amendment to safeguard citizens' privacy and ensure that their possessions, homes, and documents cannot be freely invaded without just cause.

The other options pertain to different amendments in the Bill of Rights. Freedom of religion is protected by the First Amendment, the right to bear arms is addressed in the Second Amendment, and rights of the accused, such as the right to a fair trial and legal counsel, are mainly detailed in the Sixth Amendment. Thus, the focus of the question—protection against unreasonable search and seizure—directly aligns with the specific intent of the Fourth Amendment.