Lockers: Should the Teachers Have the Keys?

Hannah Hannah DevoreDevoreHonaker 3rdHonaker 3rdSeptember September 20092009

Lockers belong to the school, not the students.

Teachers can find weapons, drugs, stolen property, etc.

‘Young criminals’ are more likely to hide weapons or drugs at school if they know the teachers don’t search.

If the school does conduct random searches, students may think twice before bringing items to school.

General searches can be conducted ‘without probable cause’, contrary to the 4th Amendment.

Many belongings could be extremely embarrassing to the student, not illegal.

Families can sue the school if a student is suspected without adequate reason.

If students know the school will search the lockers, they may find another hiding spot or keep things on their person.

http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topic

ID=447

Written by Alex Deane

PROS

CONS

STATS

•100,000 students bring guns to school.

•160,000 students skip classes because they are afraid of physical harm.

•40 students are hurt or killed by firearms.

•6,250 teachers are threatened with bodily injuries.

•260 teachers are physically assaulted.

Every Day In The United States:

Do W

e R

eally

Need T

o L

et

This

C

onti

nue?

http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=447

Written by Alex Deane

True Story.

New Jersey v. Mary* was the first Supreme Court opinion to address the Fourth Amendment rights of students in public schools. In 1980, Mary was found smoking in the bathroom.  She had been caught smoking with another girl.  The other girl admitted her guilt and was suspended. Mary denied smoking and the principal searched her purse, finding a pack of cigarettes and rolling papers. He continued thoroughly searching Mary’s purse and found marijuana, a pipe, plastic bags, a fairly substantial amount of money, an index card containing a list of students who owed her money, and two letters that involved her in marijuana dealing. The police and her parents were notified and she later confessed at the police station.  Although this case defined the search of an individual’s bag and their Fourth Amendment right, it did not go beyond the idea of a personal belonging’s search.  The Supreme Court, in a New Jersey case decided in the ‘90s, decided that school officials don't need a warrant or probable cause, but only a “reasonable suspicion.”

http://students.ed.uiuc.edu/jkelsey/surveillance/locker.htm

*name was made up.

Cites.

http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=447Written by Alex Deane http://students.ed.uiuc.edu/jkelsey/surveillance/locker.htm