Because school lockers are potential hiding places for weapons and drugs, some schools are eliminating them. Searching student lockers on a random basis raises legal questions. Examines the legality of random locker searches based upon the guidelines for student searches set forth by the Supreme Court in "New Jersey v. T.L.O." and lower…

Discusses Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures in terms of searches made of students and their lockers. (JF)

A federal case from Georgia about strip-searches of fifth-grade students for a missing $26 was appealed to the 11th Circuit Court. The 11th Circuit affirmed the district court that the strip searches were unconstitutional but that certain federal law rules shielded the school employees, a police officer, the school district, and the county from…

The author traces the history of the applicability to students of the Fourth Amendment, which defines search and seizure of person or property to be illegal without a valid search warrant supported by probable cause. Various court decisions have affirmed students' constitutional rights, but Louisiana is the only state that has held, in a decision,…

The Supreme Court's "T.L.O." decision and its application by the lower courts provide school administrators with considerable guidance in dealing with search and seizure situations. A nationwide survey of 238 high school principals indicates the status of search and seizure practices in public secondary schools. (MLF)

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: A parent who notices a gun in his child's room would not hesitate to ask questions and demand answers about its presence. As a school administrator, I believe it is my responsibility to ask questions and take action when I find an equally destructive weapon--drugs--in my schools. The zealous…

This monograph summarizes methods used to investigate and prevent crime in school, sketches possible legal claims that students might make as a result of these approaches to inschool crime prevention, and, in an extensive analysis of five court cases, gives particular attention to the legal issues related to searches of student lockers by school…

Although the Federal courts have not yet decided any cases involving search and seizure of student's property, various State courts have ruled that the Fourth Amendment protects students from "unreasonable" searches by school officials. However, the courts have generally applied a less stringent standard in justifying searches by school…

The increased presence of drugs and weapons in schools has forced school officials to step up searches of students, lockers, and school property. The landmark case of "New Jersey vs. TLO" set standards concerning reasonable suspicion and reasonable searches. School officials must be familiar with recent court opinions on student…

The relationship between a school principal and the student, and the functions and responsibilities of each, are being controlled and dictated by the continuing involvement of the courts. Many complex and confusing legal questions have arisen because of this judicial intervention. Issues discussed include school violence and vandalism, student…

These guidelines describe areas of concern as indicated by recent litigation, questions received from local school districts, and complaints received from parents and students. They also present, as a frame of reference, the status of current school law where and as it applies to the area of students' rights and responsibilities. The document is…

The Fourth Amendment protects an individual's justified expectations of privacy against unreasonable government intrusions; however, reasonable intrusions are allowed when legitimate governmental interests are served. This volume is intended to provide guidelines for school administrators on how to conduct searches and seizures in a manner…

This handbook analyzes problems encountered by school administrators and staff involving school law, student rights, and school legal responsibility. Each section summarizes the relevant county, state, and federal laws and court decisions pertaining to such areas as student disturbances, student medical care, truancy, school security, married…

Court case citations are organized in six major sections with brief summaries of relevant cases in subcategories followed by a table of cases cited. The major sections are as follows: (1) "Extended School Year (ESY) Services and Disabled Students" (Susan S. Schermerhorn); (2) "Recent Developments in Related Services under the…