Congratulations to the Winners of the 2008 National High School Moot Court Competition!!!
Michael Harris: Petitioner
(North Hollywood High School)
&
Rathna Ramamurthi: Respondent
(Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology)
On March 29-30, 2008 the Washington College of Law hosted the Ninth Annual "We the Students" National High School Moot Court Competition. The Competition takes place in Washington, D.C. and offers high school students, from across the nation, a unique opportunity to meet other participants while developing their advocacy skills in front of area law students, practitioners, and judges.
The Moot Court Honor Society is proud to welcome Final Round Judges:
-
Judge Irma Raker, Maryland Court of Appeals
-
Judge William Cave, Retired, Sixth Circuit Court of Maryland
-
Senator Jamin Raskin, Maryland State Legislature
2008 Problem: A "Ruff" Policy - Drug Sniffing Canines
Mimicking a national trend, amphetamine abuse is on the rise in the community surrounding Rockefeller High School. In response, Rockefeller High School has adopted a new program to enforce the school's controlled substance policy, that includes random searches of students using drug detecting canines. When the trained dogs alert to three students during the first (and only) round of canine sniffs the students file a class action suit claiming the dog sniffs are illegal and unreasonable searches in violation of the Fourth Amendment.
* We will accept clarification questions regarding the problem via mootcourths@gmail through February 15th with responses posted by February 22, 2008. Please include "Clarification" in the email subject line. Good Luck!
Clarification Questions & Answers:
- What type of relief are the petitioner's seeking?
- In their initial complaint, Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief preventing any future searches using the sniffer dogs in this manner, as well as declaratory relief recognizing a violation of students' Fourth Amendment rights.
- Were there merely complaints of damage to clothing and belongings as a result of the dog sniffing or was there actual damage?
- The complaints were well-founded, there was actual damage to students' school supplies and clothing
The Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.