1780's 1790's     1860's     1920's 1960's 2000's
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Signing of the Constitution Bill of Rights     Civil War     Olmstead vs. U.S. Katz vs. U.S. NYC Subway Searches
 
1920's

In the 1928 Supreme Court case, Olmstead vs. the United States, the judges rule that the police can listen to people’s phone calls if the phone tap is located outside the home. During this time, the Fourth Amendment protects only what is inside your home from unreasonable search. This means your phone calls may not be private.

Issue History: Subway Searches