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View Full Version : Drug search at my school, is it legal?


gfizzle
2008-12-18, 02:13
So at my school today, the police conducted their annual drug search. They basically brought in the K9 unit and searched w/e they dogs barked at or w/e (mainly lockers). But I dont think that is legal. The dogs may be sniffing lockers in general, but they dont have a reasonable cause to sniff peoples lockers. Dont they need a reasonable cause to sniff lockers? They busted a few kids, but the kids never gave them permission to sniff or search their stuff, and they never had a reason to use K9s to sniff.

Azure
2008-12-18, 03:49
Are you a troll?

You know that locker isn't your property, right?

fatkitty420
2008-12-18, 17:15
If a dog smells something that's probable cause.

It is illegal for them to open up backpacks or locked containers, etc. They need a Search Warrant for those.

But then again if it's posted that they reserve the right to search anything on the property then you don't really have many rights.

Your principal will also say that you're not entitled to rights because you're not an adult yet and they have custody over you when you're attending school... Bullshit, I know.

I've been fed shit like that throughout my school career. You can try to fight it but you'll most likely have graduated before you actually get anywhere productive.

Next time place weed in your principals office, etc?

gfizzle
2008-12-18, 19:57
Azure, I know that locker isnt mine, but if the school is going to give permission for cops to use K9s to sniff out students lockers, then dont they have to tell the students that. I mean they technically r loaning them space, so if our shits gonna get sniffed then we should know. And I know that the dogs barking would be a reason to search, but they never had a reason to sniff anyway. the school cant just loan us space to put our stuff w/o telling us K9s are gonna b sniffin it. And I didnt get caught btw.

Manorexia
2008-12-18, 22:49
Azure, I know that locker isnt mine, but if the school is going to give permission for cops to use K9s to sniff out students lockers, then dont they have to tell the students that. I mean they technically r loaning them space, so if our shits gonna get sniffed then we should know.

School administration isn't obligated to inform anyone if they are bringing in the dogs. Doing so isn't required by any law and it would be rather self defeating. Also, it doesn't matter if the lockers are or aren't technically loaned out to the students. It's still school property and thus they're the ones who can permit searches whether or not the student is aware.

And I know that the dogs barking would be a reason to search, but they never had a reason to sniff anyway.

They don't need a reason to bring in the dogs. Even if you get pulled over they can bring a k9 unit out to the location without probable cause.

the school cant just loan us space to put our stuff w/o telling us K9s are gonna b sniffin it.

Yes they can. It's as simple as that. Searching may be a different matter, but when you're on school grounds you essentially cede your right to privacy. Like Azure said, there are probably signs around the school parking lots and stuff you or your parents signed at registration that inform you of that, so be sure to check it out.

13579
2008-12-19, 05:28
Everyone here is correct. You have almost no rights in school, they can search whatever the fuck they want.

From what I understand, they can even search your car if it is parked on school property for little/no reason.

Sentinel
2008-12-20, 06:31
Well they need probable cause to look at things out of view in your car. But if you have a pipe on the dashboard, you're fucked. Also, it IS NOT YOUR LOCKER. Even if you are being "loaned" space in it. If your weed is in my car, and I get pulled over, I get charged, not you.

HOWEVER: The police CAN NOT search you or your backpack (assuming you have it with you) without probable cause. However, judges have been very lenient as to what "probable cause" is. If Joe Fucker says that you have pot, that's probable cause. This is really only worth fighting if you are actually searched without any cause at all. bonus points if you are not white. Seriously, that's probably your best bet at winning. It takes a lot of work, too. Most people have other shit to take care of to bother following through with the court business. However, people HAVE won cases like that before. The benefit really isn't to them, though (as has been said, they are usually in their 20s by the time the case is resolved).

Jazzy_Ways
2008-12-22, 19:45
Just wondering, is this an annual thing?
Couldn't you all just empty your lockers and give them a bit of a wipe round ?
Also, you are asking about legality without saying where you live. A country, and if your in the US a state would be useful.
Cheers :P

Iehovah
2008-12-23, 17:57
Solution: Don't be one of those morons who keeps their stash in their locker at school. Show some fucking creativity for godsake.

Or ask Totse for suggestions.

ha ha
2009-01-04, 15:47
New Jersey v. T. L. O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985) was a case appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1984, involving the search of a high school student for contraband after she was caught smoking. She was charged as a juvenile for the drugs and paraphernalia found in the search. She fought the search, claiming it violated her Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, held that the search was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.

5char

Stendhal syndrome
2009-01-06, 00:42
Solution: Don't be one of those morons who keeps their stash in their locker at school. Show some fucking creativity for godsake.

If you can't do this, you don't need drugs.