Katz v. United States

Background Details
    Federal agents had suspicions thoughts that Katz was having gambling conversation with his clients over the phone. They decided to put a eavesdropping device to the phone booth that Katz uses, and they found out he was. Katz was convicted for having the illegal conversation.

Constitutional Question
    Fourth Amendment

Decision/Lasting Effect

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The Court ruled 7 votes for Katz, 1 vote against. The Court decided that Katz was protected under the Fourth Amendment for the conversations he was having. "The Fourth Amendment protects people, not places," wrote Justice Potter Stewart for the Court.