What does curtilage refer to?

Curtilage refers specifically to the area immediately surrounding a residence that is associated with the home and has a reasonable expectation of privacy. This concept is crucial in legal contexts, especially concerning Fourth Amendment rights, as it determines the limits of privacy and the protections against unreasonable searches. The curtilage typically includes yards, gardens, and any other structures closely tied to the home itself, where homeowners naturally expect to have a degree of privacy.

The other options do not accurately capture the legal definition of curtilage. The entire property surrounding a residence might include public roadways and areas where privacy cannot be justifiably expected. Accessibility by the public does not contribute to an expectation of privacy, as public areas are typically outside the bounds of curtilage. Similarly, while the internal rooms of a residence are indeed private, they are not referred to as curtilage; the term specifically pertains to the outdoor areas surrounding the dwelling rather than the interior spaces.