New Jersey vs T.L.O occurred in 1985 when a principal decided to search a student’s purse without permission after she was found smoking. Inside the purse was marijuana.

T.L.O’s lawyers argue this is an infringement on her fourth amendment rights of no unreasonable searches and seizures. The court disagreed and charged T.L.O with one year probation.

Soon after, this case went to the Supreme Court.

Today, this case has affected many aspects of our modern school systems. Now, searching students are allowed under reasonable suspicion. But this has also changed how we look upon other school rules. One example is the school dress code. Some believe that this removes students’ right to freedom of expression. 

Another aspect of school that has changed is figuring out if a rule is impacting personal rights that each individual has. Especially following the First Amendment.

Perspective

Lower Dauphin student Jay Keener was asked the following question. “If you were in the position of the principal, in this case, what would you have done differently?” Keener says, “I think they should have had a meeting or intervention with the student before searching their bag. And then if they had reasonable suspicion after that then I think they could have searched her bag.” 

Modern standards seem to influence student’s approach. In the 1980s the rules were different and less firm. Now, this case may have been taken differently and the ruling would have been viewed differently.