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Michael Barrett, IV v. Donald Claycomb
705 F.3d 315
8th Cir.
2013
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Background

  • Linn State Technical College is a two-year college in Linn, Missouri with about 1,150–1,200 students.
  • On June 17, 2011, Linn State's Board of Regents adopted a mandatory drug-screening policy for certain students.
  • The policy stated testing would begin in fall 2011 for new degree/certificate seeking students and returning students.
  • As a condition of admission, students signed acknowledging the policy and that refusal to screen could lead to withdrawal, with a 45‑day window to rescreen if positive.
  • Appellees filed suit on September 14, 2011, seeking a declaration of unconstitutionality and a preliminary injunction; the district court granted a preliminary injunction pending appeal, which this court vacated.

Issues

Issue Plaintiff's Argument Defendant's Argument Held
Whether Appellees showed likelihood of success on the merits of a facial Fourth Amendment challenge Appellees; Linn State's policy is facially unconstitutional Linn State; policy falls within special needs and can be constitutional Appellees failed to show fair chance of success; injunction vacated

Key Cases Cited

  • Skinner v. Ry. Labor Executives' Ass'n, 489 U.S. 602 (1989) (public-safety drug testing in safety-sensitive roles)
  • Von Raab, 489 U.S. 656 (1989) (special governmental needs permit warrantless testing)
  • Chandler v. Miller, 520 U.S. 305 (1997) (no need for extensive evidence of risk in non-safety context)
  • Earls, 536 U.S. 822 (2002) (privacy intrusion balanced against government interests in schools)
  • Wash. State Grange v. Wash. State Republican Party, 552 U.S. 442 (2008) (facial challenges to statutes under Fourth Amendment scrutiny)
  • Salerno, 481 U.S. 739 (1987) (no set of circumstances test for facial challenges to criminal statutes)
  • Warshak v. United States, 532 F.3d 521 (2008) (Fourth Amendment facial challenges; as-applied considerations)
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Case Details

Case Name: Michael Barrett, IV v. Donald Claycomb
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Date Published: Jan 29, 2013
Citation: 705 F.3d 315
Docket Number: 12-1001
Court Abbreviation: 8th Cir.