Which amendment is primarily associated with the rulings in US v. Matlock and Wyoming v. Houghton?

The Fourth Amendment is primarily associated with the rulings in US v. Matlock and Wyoming v. Houghton because it deals with the protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. In these cases, the Supreme Court addressed issues related to consent and the expectations of privacy in different contexts.

In US v. Matlock, the Court ruled that a third party who has common authority over premises or effects can consent to a search, which is significant in establishing the limits of privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment. The decision emphasizes the legal concept of "common authority" over shared spaces.

Wyoming v. Houghton further elaborates on this topic by ruling that an officer may search a passenger's belongings in a vehicle without additional consent when the driver is lawfully arrested, reinforcing the idea that the Fourth Amendment does not provide an absolute right to privacy in all contexts, especially concerning vehicles.

These rulings collectively highlight the parameters regarding consent and the authority that individuals have over shared spaces and possessions, which are central themes in Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.