Fourth Amendment, which restricts searches pursuant to a probation circumstance to those with a 'probationary' purpose, removes any wrongdoing in the case of United States v. Knights with regards to warrantless searches. Often times there exists a thin balance between safeguarding citizens and observing probationers. Any observation made by law enforcement that might causes suspicion of a probationer can then translate into reasonable inquiry and therefore make it legal to perform searches without a warrant.

Under the circumstances of the case, the respondent, Knights was living under precise probationary limitations that allowed law enforcement to conduct a search of his person regardless of warrants. Respondent came under suspicion after a vandalism spree occurred. A detective noticed the respondent and then searched and arrested him as a suspect.

His summary probation was a result of a drug charge. Because of this probation, and after he signed and agreed to submitting to...
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