It is now the 1980’s. In New Jersey, a 14-year-old student is found smoking a cigarette in the school bathroom. This is against school rules. The school principal demands to search her purse. The principal finds a pack of cigarettes, and other items associated with drug use. The principal does not have a warrant.

In the 1985 case, New Jersey v. T.L.O., The Supreme Court rules that schools do not need a warrant to search students. The Court says that schools have the right to search a student if there is enough evidence to suspect a school rule has been broken. According to the Court, schools must find a balance between maintaining student privacy and providing a safe school environment.