T. L. O. Case Study

In 1980, New Jersey filed charges against T.L.O. in juvenile court after T.L.O.'s assistant vice principal searched her purse and found cigarettes, rolling paper, that led him to suspect marijuana usage after she had denied any accusations. T.L.O. moved to suppress the results of the search violated the 4th Amendment, and the juvenile court denied the motion suppress. They had an idea that she might have been selling drugs. T.L.O. was then suspended and that is when the case was set in motion. The issue took place at Piscataway High School in Midldlesex County, N.J on March 7, 1980. Fourteen year old T.L.O., who's identity was kept secret by using her name initials, was caught smoking in the school's lavatory and was then sent to the principal's office. After her encounter with the vice principal, T.L.O's mother took her down to the police headquarters where T.L.O confessed she had been selling marijuana at school. T.L.O. fought that her vice principal, Mr. Choplick, violated her Fourth Amendment Right when he demanded to see her purse. The evidence that had been found in her purse as well as her confession that had been a lie, was exposed by an allegedly unlawful search. By law, school officials need to obtain a warrant before searching …show more content…
The court saw Mr. Choplick's action as a reasonable one. His decision for opening T.L.O.'s purse was due to his suspicion of illegal matters that violated school rules. The purse contained evidence of marijuana violations in plain view. Mr. Choplick was then entitled to push further a search to determine T.L.O.'s drug related