Expectation of Privacy

/ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən əv ˈpraɪvəsi/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A legal standard determining whether a person's privacy has been violated, based on whether the individual had a subjective expectation of privacy that society recognizes as reasonable.
    The court ruled that the defendant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in their home, making the warrantless search unlawful.

Forms

  • expectation of privacy

Commentary

The expectation of privacy is central in Fourth Amendment jurisprudence; courts assess both an individual's subjective expectation and its objective reasonableness.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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