|
You Decide: Is This a Legal Search?
Directions:
- Read each situation. Use the information in the
excerpt of the majority opinion to help you complete
the chart. For further assistance, visit "Ask
Sybil Liberty about Your Right to Privacy."
- Answer the question, "Is this a legal search?"
by placing an "X" in the appropriate space.
- Provide a brief explanation for your answer.
| Situation |
Is
this a legal search? |
Explanation |
| Yes |
No |
| School
administrators receive a report that a member of
the cheerleading squad is selling drugs. They confront
her and tell her they are going to check her locker.
Then they do so. |
|
|
|
| Concerned
over recent school shootings, the school board installs
metal detectors in all local high schools and requires
that all students walk through them in order to
enter the building. |
|
|
|
| After
one second grader complains of having lost the $5.00
she got from the tooth fairy, teachers ask all of
the students in her class to go into the locker
room and remove their clothing so they may be strip-searched. |
|
|
|
| Administrators
receive a tip that members of two rival gangs plan
to fight after school and that many of the members
have brought knives and other weapons to school.
The principal calls the police, who conduct a search
of the suspicious students. |
|
|
|
| Concerned
about alcohol use at the school dance, school officials
search the vehicles of all students who attend the
prom. |
|
|
|
| After
receiving a report that a student has brought a
gun to school, the principal and security guard
bring the student to the office, frisk him, and
ask to search his locker. |
|
|
|
For
Extension:
At
Boulder High School in Boulder, Colorado, $60,000 worth
of surveillance equipment is able to keep track of students
on school grounds, in the halls, and in class. In fact,
the principal is able to manipulate the cameras to zoom
in on individuals or groups of students.
Is
this constitutional? Explain your answer below. |
