Supreme Court Cases

Aim: Are we really protected by the Bill of Rights?Do Now: Which case is most important to you?HW: Complete Review Sheet

New Jersey v. TLO TLO – student caught smoking – searched

her purse found drug paraphernalia Issue: Do schools have the right to search

a student Amendment: 4th – right to privacy Decision: Schools can search students if

there is reasonable cause Impact:

Missouri v. Watkins Heath Watkins stabbed a 27 year old

mother of 2 during a robbery. He was 16 at the time. When convicted he asked for death penalty. Later – he changed his mind.

Issue: Does the death penalty apply to juveniles

Amendment: 8th – bail and punishment Decision: You need to set an age limit for

death penalty Impact:

Engel v. Vitale Board of Regents suggested a prayer at

the beginning of the day. New Hyde Park parent Engel complained – violated his first amendment.

Issue: Can the state introduce prayer in public school

Amendment: 1st – freedom of religion Decision: Can not have prayer in school Impact:

Vernonia vs. Acton The Vernonia school district noticed an increase of

disciplinary problems in school – blamed it on drug use. Problems were found to be with athletes – the board decided to conduct random urinalysis as a condition to play a sport. Students and parents were required to sign a consent form, the student would have to submit to urinalysis before each sport season. In addition 10% of the athletes would be randomly chosen each week to submit to drug tests. If tested positive, the athlete would not be able to participate in the sport. James Acton a 7th grader was denied participation in the football program since his parents refused to sign consent.

Issue: Can schools drug test athletes

Amendment: 4th – right to privacy Decision: Schools can drug test

athletes, because they are considered “role models”

Impact:

Tinker v. Des Moines School District Group of students wanted to wear black

armbands in protest of the Vietnam War. The principal stated that if anyone had an armband on would be asked to remove it. If they refused, they would be suspended. Parents complained that it denied freedom of speech.

Issue: Can students peacefully protest in school. Amendment: 1st – freedom of speech Decision: Students are protected by 1st

amendment, to peaceful protest. Impact:

Bethel School District v. Fraser Matt Fraser –a student gave a nominating speech

for another student. During the speech he used an elaborate, graphic, and explicit sexual metaphor. Teachers who reviewed speech warned him that it was inappropriate. Fraser was suspended – he challenged the constitutionality of the punishment.

Issue: Do students have freedom of speech in school

Amendment: 1st – freedom of speech Decision: You don’t always have freedom of

speech in schools – vulgar language Impact:

Hazelwood School district v. Kuhlmeir Article in school newspaper on pregnancy and

impact of divorce. The principal objected to the article. Editors of newspaper felt they should be able to print story. They filed a suit against principal and school district.

Issue: Are school newspapers protected by freedom of press.

Amendment: 1st

Decision: Schools are allowed to censor school newspapers.

Impact:

Pico vs. Board of Ed Group of parents created a list of books that they

felt were offensive. Island Trees Union Free School District removed 9 books from the high school libraries. Students sued district for violating 1st amendment.

Issue: Can the school ban books from the school library

Amendment: 1st

Decision: Can ban books from school Impact: