2017 Scholarship Winner: 1st Place – Conner Morehead

Conner Morehead: First Place: Northpoint Christian School – $1,500.00 – Conner has plans to attend Mississippi State University to study Marine Biology.

The Fourth Amendment: What Difference Does It Make in America?

The fourth amendment to the United States Constitution says, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” To this very day, the fourth amendment remains to be the greatest protection of the privacy of every U.S. citizen. It may not seem like it, but this amendment is of great importance to the wellbeing of the U.S., and without it, life today would be very different. Most people would think that if a person is innocent, they should have nothing to worry about, but that is not entirely true. Being arrested or having your house searched can be incredibly stressful, but it can also ruin your reputation. Even for the most innocent person alive, reputation can be easily broken, and it can be very difficult to restore once this happens. Without the fourth amendment protecting U.S. citizens, there would be absolutely no privacy for any U.S. citizen. Imagine the madness that would spread if people could be arrested, their houses be searched, and their belongings be seized with absolutely no legitimate cause for suspicion. Without the fourth amendment, fear would run rampant throughout the nation, and innocent people’s reputations could be ruined forever. In addition, corruption would likely rule law enforcement without this amendment’s protections and provisions. If any law enforcement officer could enter any home, take any belongings, or arrest any person, these officers would be able to do terrible things with ease. Many corrupt officers would use these powers in negative ways, and would seek to prosper from their abilities as law enforcement officers. Overall, without the fourth amendment, the American society we know today would crumble, and the perception of America in the world would be drastically altered. Instead of being recognized for our freedom, we would be recognized as a nation of fear and corruption.