My research portrays the scope of the 4th Amendment's protections, specifically regarding motor vehicles, while discussing how and why the interpretation of the Amendment's application has transitioned. The application of the amendment was changed drastically during the era of Prohibition and an even greater shift can be seen during the US Governments implementations of its “War on Drugs” programs. The changes can be seen as searches of vehicles became more questionable, were upheld by decisions passed down by the Supreme Court, and supported by the majority of the public and the majority parties of the time. A correlation can be seen between the political stances of officials in office and the way the 4th Amendment is interpreted. The changes that occurred during the eras of Prohibition and the War on Drugs all but abolished the protections an automobile has under the 4th Amendment.
