Amendments Quote by William O. Douglas
“It is better, so the Fourth Amendment teaches us, that the guilty sometimes go free than the citizens be subject to easy arrest.”
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court Opinion: United States v. United States, 1972
The Fourth Amendment prefers erring on the side of liberty, allowing some guilty to go free rather than imposing easy arrests on citizens.
In simple terms: Liberty is prioritized over aggressive law enforcement.
Key Takeaway
Value civil liberties over convenience.
Themes
law
civil rights
justice
freedom
Mood
critical
balanced
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policing policies
- court rulings
- public safety debates
- civil liberty advocacy
Key Concepts
constitutional law
criminal procedure
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the trade‑off worth it?
- How can we balance safety and freedom?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on liberty may let dangerous individuals evade justice.
