This activity focuses on the Supreme Court case Silverthorne Lumber Co. v. United States (1920) and its impact on Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful searches and seizures. Students will explore how the case raised important questions about government power, the use of illegally obtained evidence, and individual rights. Using a surprising situation involving copied business documents, this case highlights how the legal system protects citizens from government overreach. Students will learn how constitutional rights, law enforcement practices, and the principle known as “fruit of the poisonous tree” came together in a landmark decision in U.S. history.
Included in this resource:
Supreme Court Case Spotlight On: Missouri v. Holland analysis with scaffolding questions
Answer key for teachers (suggested)
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