Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives' Association
United States Supreme Court
489 U.S. 602 (1989)
Relevant factsFree
Federal Railway Administration (defendant) regulations required breath and urine testing of railroad employees after certain triggering events like accidents, and authorized supervisor-demanded testing based on reasonable suspicion, without requiring individualized suspicion for post-accident testing; the court of appeals found parts of the scheme violated the Fourth Amendment, and the Administration sought review.
IssueFree
Whether governmental regulations authorizing the collection of biological samples from public employees in the absence of suspicion violate the Fourth Amendment when special law enforcement needs render probable cause and warrant requirements impracticable.