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MARK B. HARMON et al. Plaintiffs
vs.
EDWIN MEESE III et al. Defendants
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Issues:
Random urinalysis testing, safety, public employees, policy and procedure, Fourth Amendment.
Case Summary:
Richard L. Thornburgh, on behalf of the Department of Justice, appeals a district court ruling that granted a preliminary injunction against the department's proposed drug testing policy. Mark B. Harmon and a group of department employees argued the policy violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
The U.S District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the employees, granting a permanent injunction against the department's testing program. The department now appeals.
Outcome:
A split decision. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia modified the injunction to allow random testing for department employees with top secret clearance for matters of national security, but affirmed the injunction for all other categories of department employees.