Question

The Supreme Court Case New Jersey v. TLO questioned the rights students had in public schools. TLO was a New Jersey high school student whose locker was searched after school officials had reason to believe she was distributing drugs and cigarettes. She was found guilty and sentenced to a one-year probation. TLO appealed the decision and the NJ Supreme Court decided that her 4th Amendment rights (which protect a person’s home, belongings and body from being searched without just cause) had been violated. However, the US Supreme Court reversed that ruling: “the Court held that while the Fourth Amendment's prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures applies to public school officials, they may conduct reasonable warrantless searches of students under their authority notwithstanding the probable cause standard that would normally apply to searches under the Fourth Amendment. The Court held that the search of T.L.O.'s purse was reasonable under the circumstances”.

Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision? Why or why not? In your answer, discuss the Fourth Amendment, how it applies to this case, and whether or not you agree with the final verdict.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The Supreme Court Case New Jersey v. TLO dealt with the issue of students’ rights in public schools. TLO, a high school student from New Jersey, had her locker searched by school officials who suspected that she was distributing drugs and cigarettes. TLO was found guilty and sentenced to a one-year probation. However, TLO appealed the decision on the grounds that her Fourth Amendment rights had been violated. The Fourth Amendment is a constitutional provision that prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures of a person’s home, belongings, and body without just cause.

The NJ Supreme Court agreed with TLO and ruled that her Fourth Amendment rights had indeed been violated. However, the US Supreme Court overturned that ruling. The Court held that while the Fourth Amendment applies to public school officials, they may conduct reasonable warrantless searches of students under their authority, despite the probable cause standard that would normally apply to searches under the Fourth Amendment. The Court also found that the search of TLO's purse was reasonable under the circumstances.

In my opinion, the Supreme Court’s decision was reasonable given the circumstances of the case. The Fourth Amendment is an important protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, but it must be balanced against the need to maintain a safe and secure learning environment for students. In this case, the school officials had reasonable suspicion that TLO was involved in drug and cigarette distribution, and the search of her purse was a reasonable means of investigating that suspicion. While the search may have been intrusive, it was not unreasonable given the circumstances. As such, I agree with the final verdict of the Supreme Court.