Know Your Rights: Student Searches & Investigations

Students should know that they may be searched if they bring prohibited items to school. In general, school officials have more leeway than police officers to question or search students and their belongings. Students have the right to refuse to answer any questions about their conduct—no matter who asks those questions. Refusing to answer questions, at least until the student has consulted with a parent, trusted adult, or attorney, may reduce the risk of a student saying something that could be used against them.

Here, we provide basic information about when K-12 public school administrators or law enforcement officers—including school resource officers—can search public school students or their belongings, or question them about their conduct.

Updated December 2022