It does not have to show, as with an ordinary search warrant, probable cause that the target is suspected of a crime.
And if the unpopular leader of a 13-year-old government that has presided over a wretched recession ends up limiting his opponents to a narrow majority in Parliament, or even a minority government, that would warrant some cause for satisfaction on his part.
The Fourth Amendment's words do indeed prohibit general warrants — warrants lacking "probable cause" — but this language regulating warrants simply does not apply where no warrants are involved.
"The million dollar question is are the police getting search warrants, and the reason that's important is because a warrant requires probable cause.
Federal courts have long agreed that federal agents guarding the borders do not need a warrant or probable cause to search a traveler's belongings.
The fourth amendment requires a specific search warrant, with probable cause, before law enforcement can rifle through a suspect's home, papers or effects.
This has led the court to craft a "border search exception" to the fourth amendment, permitting the government to search persons and property without a warrant or probable cause when entering the country.
Searches of students' purses or lockers by school authorities serve the needs of school discipline, the court has ruled, for example, and so do not require a warrant or probable cause.
A wrong turn by the justices will give every federal, state and local police officer discretion to search the most ubiquitous and invasive surveillance device we have ever seen without a warrant or probable cause.
School officials do not need a warrant or probable cause to search a student's locker or backpack, nor are they required to give a Miranda warning prior to an interrogation, no matter how severe the offense.
