1985 decision

In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in **New Jersey v. T.L.O.** addressed students' rights and school searches. The Court ruled that school officials could search a student's belongings if they had "reasonable suspicion" of wrongdoing, rather than the stricter "probable cause" standard used for police. This ruling balanced students' rights to privacy with schools' responsibility to maintain safety. It established that school administrators have the authority to keep the educational environment safe while still respecting students' rights, recognizing the unique context of a school setting.