Understanding Your Fourth Amendment Rights

Police can absolutely dig through your trash without a warrant, but they cannot

unlock your phone. It all comes down to the Fourth Amendment and something called the Exclusionary

Rule. Basically, if a cop breaks the law to find evidence against

you, that evidence is dead in court. It’s considered fruit of the poisonous

tree and gets thrown out to protect your rights. But don't get too comfortable.

If you leave your stuff in a public place, like a bag on a bus or garbage on

the curb, you have zero expectation of privacy. Privacy isn't automatic, so never consent

to a search unless you want to do their job for them.