Was the search of Tom’s garage legal after observing hanging checks through a window?

The situation described regarding the search of Tom's garage centers on the legal principles surrounding the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. The observation of hanging checks through a window denotes an intrusion into Tom's privacy.

When assessing the legality of a search, the concept of "plain view" is significant. Evidence that is in plain view does not require a warrant, as long as the observer is in a lawful position to view that evidence. However, this principle may not apply if the initial observation was made from a location that violates a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as peering into private property without consent or probable cause.

The Fourth Amendment safeguards individuals within their homes and its surrounding structures against unwarranted entry and searches. Therefore, the search of Tom's garage, based solely on visible checks through a window, does infringe on his Fourth Amendment rights as that observation does not justify a search without proper legal cause or a search warrant.

The emphasis on the Fourth Amendment violation as the reason for the legality concern underscores the importance of lawful procedures before conducting searches in areas intended for privacy, such as a garage.