Central High School Case Study

Improved Essays
May it Please the Court, In this case, Suzie and her boyfriend Cyrus were both students at Central High School in Bristol, Virginia. Suzie sent some inappropriate photos to Cyrus, and after their relationship terminated, Cyrus sent the inappropriate photos to some of the other boys at the school. The upper classmen at the school harassed Suzie, which is when Suzie's parents contacted the school. The school searched Cyrus’ locker and found the phone with the images on it. They suspended Cyrus for two weeks. Cyrus, the plaintiff, sued the school, the defendant, for violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. The search of Cyrus’ cellphone by the school was not a violation of his Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful search and seizure. Cyrus’ Fourth Amendment was not violated when the school searched his locker for his phone that was believed to have inappropriate images on it. The Fourth Amendment states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place, to be searched, and the persons or things being seized” (Appleby et. al. 232). The search of Cyrus’s cell phone and locker were reasonable, because the school officials did not need to get a warrant because they do not have to meet the same standards as police officers. The Bristol Student Handbook states, “Administrators may search a student or his/her property (including vehicles, purses, knapsacks, gym bags, etc.) with or without the student’s consent, whenever they reasonably suspect that a search will lead to the discovery of evidence of a violation of law or school rules ” (Upper Arlington Schools Students’ Handbook 5). Since the search of Cyrus’ phone led to the discovery of the inappropriate images of Suzie, his Fourth Amendment rights were not infringed upon. Cyrus’ Fourth Amendment Right was not violated because even though the photos can be recovered, they can still be sent out to everyone in the school. …show more content…
In the Safford v. Redding case, the school overreacted when strip searching Ms. Redding for ibuprofen, which could not cause a disruption anywhere near like the revealing photos sent by Cyrus to the upper classmen. The court ruled that the strip search for the non-prescription drugs was a violation of her Fourth Amendment rights. However, in the New Jersey v. T.L.O. case, the school did the right thing when searching T.L.O. on the spot because if they hadn’t, the marijuana could have had an immediate effect, and it could have also caused a major disruption in the learning of other students. The Cyrus v. Bristol school case has a lot more in common with the T.L.O. case than the Safford case because the marijuana would ultimately cause a disruption like the photos sent by Cyrus. The ibuprofen, however, would not have caused an immediate effect because it is really just an anti-inflammatory drug. As Justice White stated, “‘The warrant requirement’... ‘is unsuited to the school environment…[and] would unduly interfere with the maintenance of the swift and informal disciplinary procedures needed in schools’” (New Jersey v. T.L.O.). Therefore Principal Sheevers acted within the boundaries and Cyrus’ Fourth Amendment rights were not

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In the 1984 case of New Jersey v T.L.O., a fourteen year old freshman student’s attorney argues that evidence collected by school officials should be excluded due to a violation of the student’s Fourth Amendment rights to unreasonable search and seizure. The student and her friend were caught smoking cigarettes in the restroom of the high school by a teacher, and escorted to the principal’s office. After claiming that she was not a smoker, the principal demanded that she reveal the contents of her purse. Upon opening the purse, the principal found not only cigarettes; but, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a substantial amount of money, and a list of other students that owed her money.…

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    This case immediate impact as well as long term impact will affect society Vernonia School District v. Acton at first glance seems to represent another instance of the Court's willingness to deny Fourth Amendment protection to criminals engaged in the illegal uses. This appearance is misleading. The ruling represented the Court interpreting the Fourth Amendment as to enable authorities to act against the use of and trafficking illegal drugs. Because of the compelling state interest in curbing illegal drug use among youth, and given the special status of both school authorities and student athletes, the Court ruled that random drug testing did not violate the constitutionally guaranteed privacy of participants in interscholastic sports programs.…

    • 114 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The Supreme Court's decision in New Verses versus T.L.O was that the search was legal and that it didn't violate the 4th amendment. The Court also held that school officials need "responsible suspicion" instead of a higher level of "probable cause" and that such a warrant wasn't needed. There should be "responsible suspicion" since students still have some rights at schools, and without a "responsible suspicion", the school officials would be breaking the Fourth Amendment. Yes, the Supreme Court's decision was the correct one because students should have some rights when at school, but if associated with what could lead to a bigger consequence or investigation, the school officials should be able to search and do what they can without a warrant…

    • 157 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The athletes were randomly selected to be tested for drugs by urinating into a cup. James Acton, seventh grader, wanted to sign up for football. He brought home the consent form to his parents, who refused to sign it. Acton’s parents decided to sue the school stating drug testing violated their son’s fourth amendment rights. The first through eighth circuits of court ruled in favor of the school and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ruling by ruling in favor of the Actons.…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Da Vs Harris Case Study

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages

    da v. Harris “Does a drug-detection dog's alert to the exterior of a vehicle provide an officer with probable cause to conduct a warrantless search of the interior of the vehicle?” This was the question that was argued in 2012 at U.S. supreme court. Clayton Harris was charged with possession of pseudoephedrine which can be used to manufacture meth. He was stopped by the Police during a traffic stop for expired registration. The K-9 squad dog alerted the officer of existence of drug.…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Achman Case Study

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages

    During the search, police found things like a Uzi machine gun, a .38 caliber revolver, two stun guns, and a handcuff key, but did not find the supposedly stolen stuff. Police Officers did confiscate the weapons while in search for the stolen items and used it in court. So therefore his fourth amendment was violated. The 4th amendment states, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. " This action performed by the police officers reminds me of the supreme court case, Mapp V. Ohio.…

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Facts: In 2008, Landon Wynar, a sophomore at Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada exchanged several instant messages using MySpace social media with his classmates from his home computer. Wynar bragged about having an arsenal of weapons and threatened to shoot and kill several classmates on the anniversary of the Columbine School Massacre. Wynar also bragged he would kill more students than those who died at Virginia Tech, which at the time was the deadliest school shooting on record. Several students reported the instant messages to school authorities, except Wynar claimed the messages were jokes. Wynar was later detained in a Detention Center and expelled from school because he violated the School District's Violence Policy.…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    She was then brought up on charges from the state in Juvenile Court. When in The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of New Jersey, T.L.O. tried to have the evidence that was found by her assistant principal suppressed because she believed that it violated the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches without a warrant and to be supported by a probable cause. (New Jersey v TLO Legal Information Institute)…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    T. L. O. Case Essay

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the clearly states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated” (“Fourth Amendment”). Its laws also apply to searches done by public school officials. Public school officials, such as vice principal Theodore Choplick, are not exempt from the Amendment’s dictates by virtue of the special nature of their authority over schoolchildren. On the other hand, school officials represent the State itself in carrying out searches such as this one and cannot claim the parents’ immunity from the Fourth Amendment. Vice principal Choplick not only violated T.L.O.’s Fourth Amendment rights, but also her Fifth Amendment rights.…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This makes me mad, because to get an innocent child involved in your criminal activities is a shame. I know that the Fourth Amendment protects all United States citizens against unlawful search and seizure of contraband. In this case, I think that during a traffic stop law enforcement had probable cause she had drugs in her possession and they search her. She had a history of possession and selling drugs.…

    • 316 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Supreme Court Case Study

    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The officials discovered cigarettes, marijuana, and a list containing the names of students who owed TLO money. In response, the principal called the police and TLO parents TLO. was charged with possession and dealing of marijuana. But before the trial, TLO argued that that the search of her purse was against the fourth amendment and evidence should…

    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    4th Amendment

    • 535 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Supreme Court is asked, is the Student Activities Drug Testing Policy, which requires all…

    • 535 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    While reading the Seattle public school hand book it was learned that they encourage a positive learning environment for their students. When it comes to their due process requirements prior to a short-term suspension it was mentioned that the principal and the assistant principal are the ones that make the decision on whether the student should be suspended or not. It all depends on the condition of how the rule was broken. A short term suspension goes into effect as soon the principal and assistant principal approves it. It was mentioned that the short term suspension goes into effect even if the parent or guardian does not appeal the action (Seattle schools, 2011, P.31).…

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Swain County High School (SCHS) is a rural school in the western most part of the state. It is the only high school in the county and currently serves 584 students. Of these students, 58% are considered economically disadvantaged and 25% are classified as exceptional. Within the school the two primary ethnic groups are 68% white and 26% Native American. Because we are the only high school in the county there is a strong sense of community support, especially for extra-curricular activities such as sports and band.…

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Deal Vs Von Raab Summary

    • 1555 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Spears, Ms. Deal and Mr. Lucas filed a lawsuit under stating their constitutional rights were violated under the fourth amendment when Newell and Juanita Spears, owners of White Oak’s Package store intentionally intercepted, recorded and disclosed their telephone conversations in violation of the federal wiretapping statute. The lower court found for the plaintiff’s and awarded punitive damages in the amount of $40,000 and attorney fees. The defendant’s appealed. The key issue for the fourth amendment to apply are the following (1) Cause to believe and offense may have been committed, (2) Conversations being recorded must have specific focus item or items, (3) Recording must be for a specific period of time, (4) Recording must stop once item or items are recorded, (5) Individuals must be properly notified of being recorded.…

    • 1555 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays