The school administrators discovered that a student, Jeffrey Snyder, may have been selling marijuana based on a report from a credible teacher. They searched Jeffrey's locker without confronting him directly and found bags of marijuana. Jeffrey admitted wrongdoing but later accused the school of violating his privacy. While students have some expectation of privacy, the school's search was justified and reasonable given the credible report and their interest in enforcing policies. The student handbook allowed for searches of lockers with reasonable cause. Therefore, the decision is for the plaintiff, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Jeffrey Snyder is guilty.
Исходное описание:
Оригинальное название
1 -Constitutional Law Commonwealth vs Snyder- Locker Search
The school administrators discovered that a student, Jeffrey Snyder, may have been selling marijuana based on a report from a credible teacher. They searched Jeffrey's locker without confronting him directly and found bags of marijuana. Jeffrey admitted wrongdoing but later accused the school of violating his privacy. While students have some expectation of privacy, the school's search was justified and reasonable given the credible report and their interest in enforcing policies. The student handbook allowed for searches of lockers with reasonable cause. Therefore, the decision is for the plaintiff, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Jeffrey Snyder is guilty.
The school administrators discovered that a student, Jeffrey Snyder, may have been selling marijuana based on a report from a credible teacher. They searched Jeffrey's locker without confronting him directly and found bags of marijuana. Jeffrey admitted wrongdoing but later accused the school of violating his privacy. While students have some expectation of privacy, the school's search was justified and reasonable given the credible report and their interest in enforcing policies. The student handbook allowed for searches of lockers with reasonable cause. Therefore, the decision is for the plaintiff, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Jeffrey Snyder is guilty.
After reading Commonwealth vs Snyder, answer the following:
1. Identify the Plaintiff(s) in the case. The school, commonwealth 2. Identify two of the Dedendant(s) in the case. Jeffry Snyder 3. Is this a criminal proceeding or a civil proceeding? Explain. Criminal because he is being brought into court by the Commonwealth of massachuesetts. 4. How did the school administration initially discover that Jeffrey might be selling marijuana? A teacher reported to the administration that a student had told him about Jeffrey. 5. Why did Principal Day give credibility to the reporting teacher regarding Jeffreys possession of marijuana? The story seemed credible, especially because it was detailed. Also this teacher had provided credible information to the administration before. 6. Explain the reason(s) the principal and assistant principal did not approach Jeffrey in the student center. They did not want to draw attention to him and weren't sure if other students were involved yet. 7. Where did the administrators find the combination to Jeffreys locker? They had it in the office with the students information. 8. What did the schools student policy say about searches of student lockers? They need to have "reasonable" doubt of the student. 9. What did the principal and assistant principal find during their search of Jeffreys locker? They found his bookbag, and a cassete case filled with three bags of marijuana 10. What did Jeffrey do when he was confronted with the evidence against himself? He immediately admitted to his wrongdoing. He later accuzed the school of violating his privacy.
Make the Argument
In order for the judge or jury to render a decision, the following are some of the questions that must be considered: 1. Was the information received by the school administrators reliable? Explain. Yes, the teacher who reported the information was a credible source in past cases. 2. Did Jeffrey have an expectation of privacy in his locker at school? Explain. He did, but he shouldn't have. Students know that the administration has access to their lockers, and the ability to search with reasonable cause. 3. Was the schools search of the locker justified and reasonable? Yes, it wasn't overly intrusive, as they did not specifically draw attention to Jeffry. They also own the locker where Jeffrey was keeping his illegal drugs. 4. Did the school have a reasonable suspicion that a crime was being committed? Explain. Yes, they got the information from a studdent who claimed to see it himself. 5. Did the schools interest to enforce school policies and adequately discipline its students override the importance of Jeffreys privacy in his locker? No, he shouldn't have had anything in his locker that he wanted to be kept private. Afterall, it is said in the school's rules that they could search with reasonable cause. 6. Did the student handbook state that the Defendant had an expectation of privacy in his locker? Only if he was not being a suspicious student.
You Be the Judge
Having reviewed the case and considered the questions involved, decide the case for either the Plaintiff or the Defendant along with