Find Court Cases > Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives' Assoc.

Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives' Assoc.

Case Date: 11/02/1988
Docket No: none

Facts of the Case 

Recognizing the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse by railroad employees, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) implemented regulations requiring mandatory blood and urine tests of employees involved in certain train accidents. Other FRA rules allowed railroads to administer breath and urine tests to employees who violate certain safety rules.

Question 

Did the regulations violate the Fourth Amendment?

Argument Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives' Assoc. - Oral ArgumentFull Transcript Text  Download MP3Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives' Assoc. - Opinion AnnouncementFull Transcript Text  Download MP3 Conclusion  Decision: 7 votes for Skinner, 2 vote(s) against Legal provision: Amendment 4: Fourth Amendment

No. The Court held that the government's interest in assuring safety on the nation's railroads constituted a "special need" which justified a departure from standard warrant and probable-cause requirements in searches. Preventing accidents, the goal of most railroad regulations including the one in this case, argued Justice Kennedy, was such a significant concern that it warranted reduced "expectations of privacy" for railroad employees.