Supreme Court Case: New Jersey vs T.L.O.
New Jersey vs TLO (1985) The supreme court case New Jersey vs TLO was fundamental in clarifying the application of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The fourth amendment protects citizens and their belongings against “unreasonable searches and seizures” (law.cornell.edu). In 1985, unnamed female student publicly known as TLO was caught smoking with a friend in a designated nonsmoking bathroom at Piscataway High
School in Middlesex County, New Jersey. While the other student confessed, TLO denied allegations that she had ever smoked. A vice principal then searched TLO’s purse and found
“rolling papers, a pipe, marijuana, a large wad of dollar bills, and two letters that indicated that
TLO was involved in marijuana dealing at the high school” (infoplease.com).
Initially, TLO was sentenced by a juvenile court to a year in prison. The State Supreme
Court overturned this decision (saying TLO’s fourth amendment rights were violated). The state of New Jersey asked the Supreme Court consider its appeal. Those in favor of New
Jersey claimed that TLO’s behavior provided reasonable suspicion and cause to search for further evidence of the crime. They also believed that school officials did not require a warrant to make searches or seizures because they act on behalf of the parents and need to protect the students. On the opposing side, those who supported TLO believed that school officials did not have the authority to act as parents because they are state employees; they must respect students’ rights to privacy. Ultimately, the Supreme Court voted 63 in favor of
New Jersey. The Court’s opinion stated that school officials must maintain discipline and control necessary for education. Justice Byron White agreed with the original (juvenile) court’s jurisdiction that a “school official may properly conduct a search of a student’s person if the official has a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, or reasonable cause
School in Middlesex County, New Jersey. While the other student confessed, TLO denied allegations that she had ever smoked. A vice principal then searched TLO’s purse and found
“rolling papers, a pipe, marijuana, a large wad of dollar bills, and two letters that indicated that
TLO was involved in marijuana dealing at the high school” (infoplease.com).
Initially, TLO was sentenced by a juvenile court to a year in prison. The State Supreme
Court overturned this decision (saying TLO’s fourth amendment rights were violated). The state of New Jersey asked the Supreme Court consider its appeal. Those in favor of New
Jersey claimed that TLO’s behavior provided reasonable suspicion and cause to search for further evidence of the crime. They also believed that school officials did not require a warrant to make searches or seizures because they act on behalf of the parents and need to protect the students. On the opposing side, those who supported TLO believed that school officials did not have the authority to act as parents because they are state employees; they must respect students’ rights to privacy. Ultimately, the Supreme Court voted 63 in favor of
New Jersey. The Court’s opinion stated that school officials must maintain discipline and control necessary for education. Justice Byron White agreed with the original (juvenile) court’s jurisdiction that a “school official may properly conduct a search of a student’s person if the official has a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, or reasonable cause