After reading the cases I noticed that some cases vary depending on the severity of the
case. I was able to read the case New Jersey v.T.L.O, where the 14-year-old purse was
searched without her consent, and marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, including a pipe
and a lot of money. Prior to the search, her friend confessed that she was smoking
cigarettes but T.LO. denied it. So the administrator searched her purse and found those
items. Her lawyer said that the school violated her Fourth Amendment right. However,
the court ruled that "
The Fourth Amendment applies to searches carried out by school
officials, but a school official may conduct a search of a student's person under certain
circumstances. Specifically, the Juvenile Court held that a school official may search a
student if the official has reasonable suspicion that a crime has been or is in the
process of being committed, or has reasonable cause to believe the search is necessary
to maintain school discipline or enforce policies"(
United States Courts,(n.d.).
Compared to the case of Safford Unified School District#1v. Redding,57 U.s.364(2009), I
believe that the school took this too far and this clearly violated the student's 4th
amendment right. I think that the T.L.O case was a violation of the fourth amendment
but I assume the school has a " reasonable suspicion". In my classroom, there were
three kids who were suspected to have vapes and "gummies". I was not allowed to
search their backpacks, clothing, body, or locker. The safety officers were able to
conduct the search they actually found the items on them. However, if at a point in my
life where I have to conduct a search, I would speak to an administrator and explain my
"reasonable suspicion". I would make sure that I speak to the student in a calm manner
and respect the student's property. I would explain to the student that my job is to make
sure that everyone is safe including the student. If the student allows me to search his
or her belongings I would do it, if not, I would have to report what I suspect to the
administrator.
