Christopher J. Covey et al. v. Assessor of Ohio County et al.
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects both homes and their curtilage—the land immediately surrounding and associated” with the home—from unreasonable government intrusions. Here, an assessor for Ohio County in West Virginia went to the Coveys’ property for tax purposes. He entered the property despite the “No Trespassing” signs, violating the assessors’ standard visitation procedures, opened the front door to leave a pamphlet inside, and searched the home’s curtilage, including a walk-out basement patio.