This study examined federal and state court decisions related to student Fourth Amendment rights following the "New Jersey v. T.L.O." ruling in 1985. There has been minimal research in judicial treatment of students' Fourth Amendment rights across regions of the country and less to what extent regional rulings implicitly or explicitly…

Strip searches should be considered searches of last resort based on the intrusive nature of the search and the resulting impact it may have on a student. It is well established by the courts that as the intrusiveness of the search intensifies, the standard of the Fourth Amendment reasonably approaches probable cause which is a higher standard…

In light of the dramatic increase in the presence of weapons, violence, drugs, and other contraband in schools, school officials in the United States and England face significant challenges as they seek to maintain safe and orderly learning environments. Almost twenty five years after the United States Supreme Court's 1985 ruling in "New…

The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution provides protection of all citizens against unreasonable search and seizure. The US Supreme Court has affirmed that the basic purpose of the Fourth Amendment is to safeguard the privacy and security of individuals against unreasonable intrusive searches by governmental officials. Since students possess…

In "New Jersey v. T.L.O.," the Supreme Court determined that public school searches must meet a two-pronged reasonableness standard. Search must be "justified at its inception" and be "reasonably related in scope to the circumstances." Examines factors that courts have found important in applying the T.L.O. standard.…

Asks whether proponents' justifications for using metal detectors to counteract school violence are compelling enough to override students' privacy interests. Concludes that there are serious constitutional concerns raised by using metal detectors. The rationale for upholding school searches in other contexts does not apply to metal-detector…

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees "the right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures" by governmental officials. In a 1985 Supreme Court decision, "New Jersey v. TLO," students' privacy rights in public schools are afforded a lower…

Reviews 18 criminal cases decided by state appellate courts that have applied standards set forth by U.S. Supreme Court in "New Jersey v. T.L.O" which defined extent to which public school officials could constitutionally search students and their property. Contends Supreme Court made it possible for state courts to practically expunge…

The United States Supreme Court's first decision on student search and seizure required that school officials have reasonable cause in conducting a search in order to enforce school rules or counter a threat to the school environment. Not analyzed was when a search will be considered intrusive. (MLF)

The protection afforded a minor student by the fourth amendment is perhaps open to some speculation due to his age and the unique situation presented by the school environment. The search and seizure issue is discussed in terms of the findings in several court cases. For journal availability see HE 508 741. (LBH)

When school employees investigate alleged misconduct by students, they must follow school rules and federal and state laws. A school-locker search in a recent case from Indiana--"S.A. versus State"--illustrates the importance of employees and students knowing the rules governing investigations, and of specific employees being given the…

To search or not to search is a perplexing issue facing school leaders. On one hand, school officials are responsible for providing a safe and orderly learning environment for all students. On the other hand, they must recognize and respect students' personal rights. Achieving this delicate balance often is difficult for school officials. This…

In 1985, the United States Supreme Court, in "New Jersey v. T.L.O.," held that the Fourth Amendment applies to searches and seizures conducted by public school administrators. This paper discusses the current state of Fourth Amendment law with regard to public school searches and seizures. Among the subtopics discussed are the following:…

Comments on an article in the Summer 1992 issue of this journal (EJ 454 315) in which Professor J. M. Sanchez examined 18 decisions regarding student searches and concluded that the "T.L.O." decision made it possible to practically expunge the Fourth Amendment from American public schools. Introduces article by Lawrence Rossow (EA 530…

In contrast with J. M. Sanchez's article in the Summer 1992 issue of this journal, suggests that the "T.L.O." decision marks the full-fledged beginning, not the virtual end, of Fourth Amendment privacy rights of students. (MLF)