NJ. V. TLO
Year: 1984
Result: 6:3, favor NJ
Related Constitutional issue/amendment: 4th amendment (unreasonable search and seizure)
Civil Rights or Civil Liberties: Liberties
Significance/Precedent: The court ruling established that school children do not have the same guaranteed rights as adults do. Searches and seizures in public schools are permitted as long as there is a reasonable suspicion of threatening a safe and functional educational environment.
Quote from majority opinion: "With respect to the question of the legality of the search before it, the court agreed with the Juvenile Court that a warrantless search by a school official does not violate the Fourth Amendment so long as the official has reasonable grounds to believe that a student possesses evidence of illegal activity or activity that would interfere with school discipline and order."
6-word summary: public school searches require reasonable suspicion
Result: 6:3, favor NJ
Related Constitutional issue/amendment: 4th amendment (unreasonable search and seizure)
Civil Rights or Civil Liberties: Liberties
Significance/Precedent: The court ruling established that school children do not have the same guaranteed rights as adults do. Searches and seizures in public schools are permitted as long as there is a reasonable suspicion of threatening a safe and functional educational environment.
Quote from majority opinion: "With respect to the question of the legality of the search before it, the court agreed with the Juvenile Court that a warrantless search by a school official does not violate the Fourth Amendment so long as the official has reasonable grounds to believe that a student possesses evidence of illegal activity or activity that would interfere with school discipline and order."
6-word summary: public school searches require reasonable suspicion