Vernonia School District v. Acton (47J)

Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton at first glance seems to represent another instance of the Court's willingness to deny Fourth Amendment protection to criminals engaged in the illegal use of, or trafficking in, drugs. This appearance is misleading, however. Justice Scalia, writing for the majority, was careful to point out that the legal status of students, and the equally unique social status and voluntary forfeiture of privacy accepted by student athletes, made this case unique and of limited use as a legal precedent.