Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton (1994)
- Docket
- 94-590
- Decided
- 1994-01-01
Summary
Question: Does random drug testing of high school athletes violate the reasonable search and seizure clause of the Fourth Amendment? Conclusion: No. The reasonableness of a search is judged by "balancing the intrusion on the individual's Fourth Amendment interests against the promotion of legitimate governmental interests." In the case of high school athletes who are under State supervision during school hours, they are subject to greater control than over free adults. The privacy interests compromised by urine samples are negligible since the conditions of collection are similar to public restrooms, and the results are viewed only by limited authorities. Furthermore, the governmental concern over the safety of minors under their supervision overrides the minimal, if any, intrusion in student-athletes' privacy.