Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Virginia

Camp Counseling

My question is simple: is it legal for a camp counselor to search a camper's bag if he/she has reason to believe the camper has drugs, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, etc?


Asked on 5/14/06, 2:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Camp Counseling

The 4th amendment prohibition against illegal searches and seizures applies only to the government/police. Therefore, if a privately employed camp counselor were to search or seize something and turn it over to the police, there would be no legal basis to keep it out of evidence. A privately employed camp counselor has no special right to search or take anybody's property, unless a camper or his or her parents signed a contract that says otherwise.

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Answered on 5/14/06, 2:56 pm


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