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Reference.org
Special needs exception
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<p>The "special needs" exception is an exception to the <a href="/facts/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution/S1KsVyvf">Fourth Amendment</a>’s general requirement that government searches be supported by a <a href="/facts/Search_warrant/Dn4yseJt">warrant</a> and <a href="/facts/Probable_cause/Sg0ymNkA">probable cause</a>. The exception applies when (1) the government conducts programmatic searches that are primarily aimed at advancing some special need other than criminal law enforcement, and (2) the government’s search program is reasonable given the balance of public and private interests. </p>