Common Issues Today
According to the Constitution:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated(U.S. Constitution-Amendment IV)
"No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law"(Washington State Constitution Article 1, Section 7)
The U.S. Constitution and Washington State Constitution protects a persons privacy by prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures. This extends to personal possessions/ information that are stored in cell phones, computers, emails.
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated(U.S. Constitution-Amendment IV)
"No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law"(Washington State Constitution Article 1, Section 7)
The U.S. Constitution and Washington State Constitution protects a persons privacy by prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures. This extends to personal possessions/ information that are stored in cell phones, computers, emails.
What does this mean for students? How can this be reasonably interpreted and applied in our schools?
Before the school searches through any student’s personal items, they must have a reasonable and individualized suspicion. For example, if a teacher has a reasonable suspicion that someone has been selling drugs, or any other illegal substance through text message or email, it does not mean the school can search everyone’s cell phones.