Conclusion-
The case New Jersey vs. T.L.O. has greatly impacted the rulings in court cases as well as the punishments and restrictions in school systems. This case has impacted court cases by changing the requirements of a legal search. Police need to demonstrate “probable cause” that individuals they search have violated or are violating a law. School officials, need to have only “reasonable suspicion” of unlawful conduct to justify a search of students in school. School authorities may also restrict the rights of students on behalf of the school's compelling educational purpose. By this rule, many principles and school administrators have been compelled (and unrestricted) to search through students belongings while they are in school. This has drastically affected the American school systems. In general it changed the way that searches are allowed to be done in schools. For example, the term "reasonable suspicion" has been added to reasons for a school official to search. This means that an official doesn't need a warrant, but literally only has to be suspicious. It doesn't take much to authorize a search these days, and kids have to be careful with items that they bring to school. Even bringing a water gun to school may result in a day of suspension. So, students can be searched easily and must be careful with what they bring. Are citizen's rights protected to the point where it may cause harm? In certain situations, the fourth amendment may cause risk, but throughout history we have seen the fourth amendment do justice over and over. Also, the Fourth Amendment has made people safer. Although it gives us privacy, it also can swiftly come down on individuals possessing things they should not have. New Jersey vs. T.L.O. was a very important case, greatly affecting the public school system and the way that it has been run in the past and the present.