Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives Association
Encyclopedia
Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives Association, 489 U.S. 602
(1989) , was the U.S. Supreme Court case that paved the way for random drug testing of public employees in "safety sensitive" positions.
At face value, random drug testing appears to be a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution
which protects the right of citizens "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." In addition, the Fourth Amendment states that "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." However, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Skinner that random drug testing is permissible for employees in safety sensitive positions. Justice Kennedy, speaking for the majority, wrote:
The dissenting opinion by Justices Marshall and Brennan illustrates the other side of the controversy:
Case citation
Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a 'neutral' form which will identify a decision wherever it was reported...
(1989) , was the U.S. Supreme Court case that paved the way for random drug testing of public employees in "safety sensitive" positions.
At face value, random drug testing appears to be a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, along with requiring any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause...
which protects the right of citizens "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." In addition, the Fourth Amendment states that "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." However, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Skinner that random drug testing is permissible for employees in safety sensitive positions. Justice Kennedy, speaking for the majority, wrote:
The dissenting opinion by Justices Marshall and Brennan illustrates the other side of the controversy:
See also
- List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 489
- List of United States Supreme Court cases
- Lists of United States Supreme Court cases by volume
- List of United States Supreme Court cases by the Rehnquist Court
- National Treasury Employees Union v. Von RaabNational Treasury Employees Union v. Von RaabNational Treasury Employees Union v. Von Raab was a United States Supreme Court case involving the Fourth Amendment and its implication on drug testing programs. The majority of the court upheld the drug testing program in United States Customs Service....