This document discusses search and seizure laws under the 4th Amendment in schools. It explains that schools can search and seize students' possessions if there is reasonable suspicion, a lower standard than probable cause. Reasonable suspicion depends on factors like how dangerous the item sought is, how reliable the tip was, and how severe the privacy invasion was. The document provides an example of a Supreme Court case where a strip search of a student for Tylenol was found to be unreasonable and discusses debate questions about search policies in schools.

1. Search and Seizure
Civics October 20th

2. The 4th Amendment

3. What is seizure?

4. Other ways you can be seized

5. Warrants

6. Probable Cause

7. What does that look like in
schools?
Courts have reduced the burden on
the government to justify searches and
seizures on school grounds.
In New Jersey v. T.L.O. the Supreme
Court said that a school can search and
seize students’ possessions if there is
“reasonable suspicion.”
WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?

9. What is “reasonable”?
Is the item the school is searching for really dangerous?
How reliable is the information?
How badly was the person’s privacy invaded?
Example: In 2009, a middle school student was asked to
undress so school officials could search her for Tylenol
based on another student’s unconfirmed tip. The Supreme
Court decided this was not reasonable because the drug
was not all that dangerous, the information was not that
detailed, and the intrusion on the student’s privacy was
severe. (Strafford v. Redding)

10. Discussion Questions
Why is there reduced burden in schools? Do
you agree?
Are there other places, like airports, were it
also makes sense to give the government
leeway to search people and property?
The Strafford case was about strip-search –
the most intrusive type of search. Under what
circumstances, if ever, do you think a school
can constitutionally make a person undress to
be searched?