VERNONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT V. ACTON

Background Info

Who:students of Vernonia school district, James Acton
What:10% of student athletes randomly selected for urinary drug tests
When:1991, 1995
Where: Vernonia, Oregon
Why:felt he was a good student, and did not have to be tested for drugs
How:urinary tests

HOW IT GOT TO THE SUPREME COURT

• James Acton felt his 4th amendment rights were being violated
• The Supreme Court is more inclined to take a case involving amendment rights
• In district court Acton won the case and the school district appealed.
• In appeals court Vernonia won this time so Acton took it to the SC.

ACTON'S POV

• He was a top student so there was no reasonable suspicion.
• He wasn't an athlete, and they were randomly drug testing athletes.
• His fourth amendment rights were being violated.

VERNONIA'S POV

• Believed that since Acton was on school property they had the right to test him
• Did not think 4th amendment rights were being violated
• Believed they had reasonable suspicion because drug use was popular.

NOW YOU DECIDE

What did the SC rule?

The SC justices ruled 6-3 in favor of Vernonia. They believed since Acton was on school grounds the school reserved the right to test James Acton for drugs.