The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 enables law enforcement officers to search emails, telephonic conversations, medical, library and financial records. The USA PATRIOT Act stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act. This act was enforced into the law after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects the rights to privacy of it's citizen but with exceptions. The USA PATRIOT Act is one of those exceptions. Under this exception the police officers have permission to search email, telephonic conversations, medical, library and financial records without warrant, if there's any hint of possible threat.
