vii
You Be the Judge!
You Be the Judge!
Introduction
The Answer Forms
Following "The Facts" section of each case, there are a series of forms
that you must complete. The answers on the rst form, "Review the Case,"
will come directly from "The Facts" section. To complete the "Make the
Argument" form, you will make conclusions, based upon your answers
in the "Review the Case" form. Finally, you will decide what you think the
outcome should be by completing the "You Be the Judge" form.
Review the Case Form
The "Review the Case" form requires you to answer a series of factual
questions with de nitive answers derived from "The Facts" section of the
case. These questions have a twofold purpose: (1) to test your knowledge
of the case; and, (2) to help you understand a detailed fact pattern by
going through the question and answer process.
You Be the Judge Form
Finally, the "You Be the Judge" form
requires you to reach a conclusion
based upon your answers from the
"Make the Argument" form. Upon
completion of this form, you will have
decided what you think the outcome of
the case should be. You will answer the
question, "Who should win the case?"
NAME
DATE
8
C
ASE: 1
Decision for the Plaintiff
Decision for the Defendant
You Be the Judge
Having reviewed the case and considered the questions involved, decide the case for either the Plaintiff
or the Defendant:
You Be the Judge!
You Be the Judge!
Jeffrey Snyder
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
NAME
DATE
5
C
ASE: 1
Review the Case
After reading Commonwealth v. Snyder, answer the following:
You Be the Judge!
You Be the Judge!
1. Identify the Plaintiff(s) in the case.
2. Identify the Defendant(s) in the case.
3. Is this a criminal proceeding or a civil proceeding? Explain.
4. How did the school administrators initially discover that Jeffrey might be selling marijuana?
5. Why did Principal Day give credibility to the reporting teacher regarding Jeffrey's possession of marijuana?
6. Explain the reason(s) the principal and assistant principal did not approach Jeffrey in the student center.
7. Where did the administrators find the combination to Jeffrey's locker?
NAME
DATE
7
C
ASE: 1
Make the Argument
In order for the judge or jury to render a decision, the following are some of the questions that
must be considered:
You Be the Judge!
You Be the Judge!
1. Was the information received by the school administrators reliable? Explain.
2. Did Jeffrey have an "expectation of privacy" in his locker at school? Explain.
3. Was the school's search of the locker justified and reasonable? Explain.
4. Did the school have a reasonable suspicion that a crime was being committed? Explain.
5. Did the school's interest to enforce school policies and adequately discipline its students override the
importance of Jeffrey's privacy in his locker?
6. Did the student handbook state that the Defendant had an expectation of privacy in his locker?
NAME
DATE
6
C
ASE: 1
Review the Case (continued)
You Be the Judge!
You Be the Judge!
8. What did the school's student policy say about searches of student lockers?
9. What did the principal and assistant principal find during their search of Jeffrey's locker?
10. What did Jeffrey do when he was confronted with the evidence against him?
Make the Argument Form
In order to complete the "Make the
Argument" form, you must rst complete
the "Review the Case" form. Similar to a
jury form in a real court case, you will use
your answers from the "Review the Case"
form to answer the analytical questions
on the "Make the Argument" form.