A public schools right to search

[PrinceBeasley]

What is the name of your state? nc
My son (14) was bodily searched by the high school principal because a friend of his was accused of having a knife. My son only sees this friend out of school because they are in different grades and don't see each other in school. my son was not accused of having anything and has never been in trouble at school yet just because he is friends with the accused he was searched. the principal did a pat down search of my son along with his bookbag. do they have the right to search my sons person? he was also questioned by the police officer that was there. he is only 14. i was never contacted by anyone. my son informed me of it when he came home very upset. just so you know nothing was found on either boy. the accusation against his friend came from the ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend. he claimed my sons friend threated him and had a knife. the truth of the matter is the ex. is the one doing the threating. But either way my son was not involved yet he was pulled out of class and searched and questioned. help. do i have any course of action to take? what should i do?

 

[CdwJava]

The US Supreme Court has permitted some reduced standards of reasonable suspicion to justify limited searches on school grounds in the interest of safety for all involved. This sounds permissable and legal, and minimally intrusive.

Think if it had been another child and true ... a student reports that another child has a gun ... the school administration refuses to act on it ... the child with the gun shoots up the school killing several students ... how soon do you think the lawyers would be there seeking the head of the school administration and the all the funds in the school's coffers?

You have no real recourse other than to try and clarify the matter to the school administration and hope that this and any future allegations are investigated fully to determine if anyone is intentionally harassing someone else at school.

Carl