New Jersey v. TLO

 

New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)
Issue: Privacy Rights at School
Bottom Line: Your Belongings Can Be Searched, But Not Arbitrarily

Background
T.L.O. (Terry), a 14-year-old freshman named “Terry” at Piscataway High School in New Jersey, was caught smoking in a school bathroom by a teacher. The principal questioned her and asked to see her purse. Inside was a pack of cigarettes, and a illegal drugs. The police were called and “Terry” admitted selling drugs at school.

Her case went to trial and she was found guilty of possession of illegal drugs and placed on probation. Terry appealed (fought) her conviction (being guilty), claiming that the search of her purse violated her Fourth Amendment protection against “unreasonable searches and seizures” of property.

 

QUESTION

Based upon what you learned about the 4th amendment (search and seizure). Do you believe the school (principal) had the right to search the students property and bag? Explain why your thinking.

 

16 thoughts on “New Jersey v. TLO

  1. Yes because the principal is the boss and the kid was smoking which is not aloud in public schools. Because the boss of the school made those rules and to make sure no one thought there was a fire she had to search her bag to make sure that she wouldn’t smoke in the school anymore. Terry had illegal drugs and she was breaking the law not only the school rules.

  2. I think the princable didn’t break the 4th amendment because he had a reason to search terrys bag and it could of been dangerous if she kept on smoking and dealing drugs. (crime)

  3. I think the teacher had the right to search her bag because if you get caught smoking you should at least check there bag to make sure theres no more cigreats and you don’t know what a student is capable of doing

  4. I think the principal didn’t have the right to touch her property because the police should only have the right to touch her purse in order to investigate for court. The principal has no right to touch a students property without proper authority.

  5. I do not believe that the princible broke the third amendment because the amendment says that you are allowed to search belongings but not arbitrarily. If the teacher was suspicios she had she had the right to look in Terry’s purse and she did not do it arbitrarily. Therefor she did not break the third amendment.

  6. I do not believe that the principal broke the third amendment because the amendment says that you are allowed to search belongings but not arbitrarily. If the teacher was suspicios she had she had the right to look in Terry’s purse and she did not do it arbitrarily. Therefor she did not break the third amendment.

  7. I think that the principal had the right to search her bag because the school could of been in dangor and that sigeret could of burned the school down and could of killed herself if he did not chek the bag

  8. Yes I think the principal should have checked her bag because it was for her own safety an the rest of the school was also in danger.

  9. the principal had a right because he had a reason to check the students bag the one of the school rules was no smoking but Terry was smoking thats why she went to trial Terry said he didnt have a right to check the bag but the principal had a probable cause I think the judges said yes the principal had the right to check the bag

  10. I think the principal did not have the right to search a students property because does not have a warrant signed by a judge.

  11. I think that the principal broke the fourth amendment because the principal did not get permission from a warrant to search “Terry’s” bag.

  12. i do not think the school principal had the right to look through the students stuff because they must have a good reason to do it.

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