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High Court Skeptical of Strip-Search Case

And sounds skeptical

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 22, 2009 7:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Savana Redding’s lawyers made their case before the Supreme Court yesterday, condemning the strip-search of a 13-year-old in a hunt for ibuprofen as unreasonable search and seizure. But the justices were skeptical, the LA Times reports, with their questions indicating they were leery of limiting school officials’ powers to look for drugs, which might be more serious than ibuprofen. “How is the school administrator supposed to know?” asked John Roberts.

Redding’s ACLU lawyer said the search was unreasonable no matter the drug, because there was no reason to think the honor student was concealing pills in her underwear. Stephen Breyer wasn’t so sure. “They will stick them in their underwear,” he said, of kids and pills. “And in my experience, people did sometimes stick things in my underwear.” Breyer went on to wonder if strip searches were particularly embarrassing, given that students change clothes for gym class.

Savana Redding, center, and her mother April Redding, second from right, are surrounded by members of the media during a statement outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Savana Redding, center, and her mother April Redding, second from right, are surrounded by members of the media during a statement outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Savana Redding stands outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Savana Redding stands outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Savana Redding, right, and her lawyer Adam Wolf, stand outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Savana Redding, right, and her lawyer Adam Wolf, stand outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
AClotfelter
Apr 22, 2009 5:37 AM CDT
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD NOT BE STRIP SEARCHING KIDS... There better be more than a "he-said-she-said situation, and they need to call the PARENTS and the COPS
kokuaguy
Apr 22, 2009 5:05 AM CDT
Call the parents!

Court must uphold students' rights
Christian Science Monitor

Court puts breaks on car searches
Los Angeles Times

 
John Roberts • drugs • privacy • Stephen Breyer • search and seizure • strip search • US Supreme Court

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