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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    Default Possession of Alcohol on a School Trip

    My question involves civil rights in the State of: Illinois
    As a former high school athlete, I understand that the basic terms of the 4th Amendment are sometimes subject to changing on school grounds and at school events. However, if anyone has any knowledge that would help my case (to be described below) it would be greatly appreciated.

    A younger family friend of mine recently attended an athletic camp with his school's team. The team stayed in a hotel, and the room arrangements were decided by two coaches. The young man was in possession of a very small amount of alcohol in a mouthwash container. Several nights into the trip, the aforementioned coaches searched all the hotel rooms and found the container of alcohol under the bed in his room. He was instantaneously dismissed from the team.

    He is attempting to appeal to the principal of his school under the process outlined by the school's athletic code of conduct. His main reason for the appeal is that he believes the search was performed without acknowledgment of his 4th Amendment rights. In addition, his dismissal was not accompanied by the sequence of meetings also outlined by the athletic code. In building an argument to present to his principal, what should he keep in mind? Can anyone provide any insight on Illinois scholastic search laws? He isn't going to bring this to a court, but having a legitimate legal argument could help his cause in his attempt to have his dismissal reversed due to improper procedure. He's a very smart kid and I'm hoping to help him regain his place on the team, as it means a lot to him, this being his senior year.

    Also - While advice is appreciated, comments on the obvious illegality of possession of alcohol are not. It is obvious that he made a mistake, but this thread is about helping him.

    Thank You!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    1,948

    Question Re: Possession of Alcohol on a School Trip

    What county is the school located in? Is this a public school?

  3. #3
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    Aug 2009
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    2

    Default Re: Possession of Alcohol on a School Trip

    It is a public school in Lake County

  4. #4
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    Sep 2005
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    Default Re: Possession of Alcohol on a School Trip

    Odds are the permission forms for the trip warned that hotel rooms would be subject to being searched for contraband. Take a look.

    In general, teachers need only reasonable cause to believe that contraband is present to search student lockers, student hotel rooms during a school-sponsored field trip, etc. Courts also generally find a strong interest on the part of schools to search for drugs and alcohol in order to protect minors who are in their care.

    What prompted the search?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Exclamation Re: Possession of Alcohol on a School Trip

    I looked at Adlai Stevenson High school, which is the largest school located in that county.
    https://blackboard1.district125.k12....p?tab_id=_19_1

    They have very extensive information about their athletic policy and that includes random drug tests and searches, as well as rules about being suspended from school etc.
    If this kid's school is set up anything like this campus then his parents would have signed forms giving the coaches permission for the inspection.

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