Oregon Court Says School Officials Can Search Students For Drugs With Reasonable Suspicion

The AP (6/11) reports, "The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that high school students can be searched for illegal drugs without a warrant if school officials have a reasonable suspicion based on specific facts." The court reasoned that probable cause is not necessary "for a search if officials believe there is an immediate risk of harm from possession of illegal drugs on school grounds." This the court compared "to police who are allowed to search without a warrant when there is an immediate threat to safety." The AP adds, "The ruling upheld a juvenile court judge who applied a US Supreme Court standard on school searches because there were no previous Oregon cases that applied."