TLO vs. New Jersey - SEARCHES IN SCHOOLS

Facts:

A female student was searched at school, and the evidence collected was used by the state in her delinquency trial in juvenile court.  T.L.O. are the initials of the 14-year old girl who was caught smoking in the bathroom at school.  Later, in the assistant vice principal’s office, she denied smoking.  The assistant vice principal demanded her purse, and found a pack of cigarettes, rolling papers, marijuana, a pipe, plastic bags, a large amount of money, and a list of students who owed her money.  The evidence was used by the New Jersey Juvenile Court to find her guilty of delinquency.

Issue:

Does a warrantless search of a high school student by a school official violate the 4th Amendment?

Case History:

New Jersey Juvenile Court admitted the evidence and found her guilty of delinquency.  She appealed, and the New Jersey Appellate Court affirmed that the evidence was legal and thus admissible.  She appealed again, and the New Jersey Supreme Court reversed, saying the search was unreasonable and the evidence must be suppressed.  The state of New Jersey then asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.