pre-employment testing, illegal drug use, privacy, search and seizure clause, drug screening

The Supreme Court of Michigan rules on the search and seizure clause of state and federal constitutions regarding Segrett Middlebrooks, who was subjected to urinalysis testing when he applied to Wayne County for a permanent position. He failed.

The circuit court had ruled in favor of Wayne County, noting that the Search and Seizure clause of the U.S. Constitution permits urinalysis testing when the position involves the operation of heavy machinery. The court of appeals reversed and remanded the circuit court ruling, noting that Wayne County's interest in urinalysis testing "was not sufficient to overcome" Middlebrooks' expectations of privacy.

Wayne County wins. The Supreme Court of Michigan reversed the appeals court ruling, noting that Middlebrooks' application for work at a government agency gave him "a reduced expectation of privacy" in not being subjected to urinalysis drug testing by the government.