2020 Lesson 3: Legal Update - School Searches

This is an online, Missouri-specific legal studies course. The lesson addresses court decisions providing guidance to Missouri law enforcement officers conducting searches and seizures in a school setting. Specifically, the lesson addresses: 

• When law enforcement officials may assist school officials with the investigation and search of a student; 

• When suspicionless searches in school are lawful; 

• When a suspicion-based search in school is lawful; and 

• When law enforcement officials will be entitled to qualified immunity against a student’s claim the officer used excessive force to seize him/her in school. 

Finally, the lesson provides tips on conducting lawful searches in schools.