Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Georgia

My child attend Cobb Co Elementary school. On yesterday the my child's 5th grade class had a subsitute teacher while their normal teachers were in a meeting. All the children left the class to go to Specials and the subsititue teacher was left alone in the room. The children returned to the class and their teacher came back in to get something out of her purse. She noticed it was open and her billfolder was hanging out. She then noticed something was missing and proceeded to ask the class if they took anything out of her purse. She did not receive a response and she said I am giving you a chance to confess and if you are to ashamed and embrassed to do it in front of the whole class you may do it privately. No one came forward...this teacher went to the office and contacted the police. A woman police office came to the class and had all the children line up out side and empty the contents of their pockets, shoes and socks, and also thier book bags. Some of the kids were so scared my daughter had to hold her hand and let her know if she did not do anything then she is not in trouble. My daughter told me the police officer stared at her and the others students as if she was a criminal and she felt very intimidated. The schoold did not contact any parents nor did they send any documentation home notating the incident. My question is...Was it legal for the school to search the children without their parents permission? And, I contacted the police dept and they have no record of going out to the school nor a logged of the phone call. I confirmed with the school seceratary this did take place yesterday and the teacher was missing a checkbook. Also, if the police came should there be a record of that? Please help....I am concerned and I do not want this to happen to my daughter or any of those kids again.


Asked on 11/16/10, 7:20 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

Such searches may or may not be legal. I'd call the local ACLU and contact Channel 2, 5, 11, and 46 news. If the ACLU feels a violation has occured, speak to a lawyer.

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Answered on 11/22/10, 10:59 am


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