What is protected under the reasonable expectation of privacy (REP) in a home?

The concept of a reasonable expectation of privacy (REP) is rooted in the idea that individuals have certain areas where they can expect a degree of privacy that is protected from governmental intrusion without a warrant. In the context of a home, this expectation extends to many areas surrounding the property, as long as those areas are intimately linked to the home and a personal realm where privacy is expected.

Driveways and sidewalks leading up to a home are generally considered part of the curtilage, which is the area immediately surrounding the home that is associated with the family's privacy. This includes the driveway where a person may park their vehicle or the sidewalk adjacent to the home that provides access. Although these areas are in public view, they can invoke a protection under the REP because the homeowner has taken steps to maintain privacy, such as the positioning of hedges or gates.

In contrast, the other options listed do not align with the protections typically afforded under REP. For instance, entryways often do not receive as much protection if the area is open to public access. Backyard barbecue areas can vary, but they might depend on visibility and accessibility by the public. Street access generally does not provide any expectation of privacy at all, as it is fully exposed to the public and law enforcement