New Jersey Vs. T.L.O.

<Tab/>In 1980 two girls were caught smoking in the school laboratory at Piscataway High School, New Jersey, by a teacher. Smoking was prohibited by school rules, so the students, T.L.O and a friend, were taken to the principal's office. There, the assistant principal demanded to see T.L.O.'s purse. Cigarettes, Cigarette rolling paper, marijuana, a pipe, plastic bags, money, lists of names, and two letters that made …

…the right to search their bags to look for unsafe or prohibited items. A different set of rules apply in school as oppose to the outside world. The decision of this case takes away one of my rights but for a good reason. If a student was suspected of having a gun in his locker, the school would be able to search him and take away the gun. This decision makes schools a safer place.