Government officials must obtain a warrant before beginning electronic surveillance even if domestic security issues are involved. The "inherent vagueness of the domestic security concept" and the potential for abusing it to quell political dissent make the Fourth Amendment's protections especially important when the government spies on its own citizens. Decided June 19, 1972 (argued February 24, 1972). Opinion of the Court: Powell Applied: the Fourth Amendment → go there Topic: Fourth Amendment rights. United States v. U.S. District Court, 407 U.S. 297 (1972), also known as the Keith Case, is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that upheld, in a unanimous 8-0 ruling, the requirements of the Fourth Amendment in cases of domestic surveillance targeting a domestic threat. Wiki link