Plus revival of suit to stop mobile home evictions. | View in browser
Institute for Justice updates
Civil Forfeiture
Victory! Courthouse Doors Reopened for Forfeiture Victims
When Rochester, New York, police raided Cristal Starling’s apartment and seized more than $8,000 for civil forfeiture, she believed her dreams of opening a food truck were over. Her hopes plummeted further when a federal judge held that a deadline Cristal missed while challenging that forfeiture without the help of a lawyer meant she had lost her money forever. But now, thanks to an IJ victory, Cristal—and others like her—will finally get her day in court.
Arizona Supreme Court Revives Lawsuit to Save Mobile Homes
Three years ago, mobile home residents and their landlord filed a lawsuit with IJ to protect their property rights under the Arizona Constitution. But getting courts to address whether the city can constitutionally evict them from their homes has been no easy task. Now, the Arizona Supreme Court has directed lower courts to carefully consider the case rather than dismiss it out of hand.
FBI Returns Life Savings in Bid to Get Out of Lawsuit
More than three years ago, the FBI raided a Los Angeles safe deposit box company. In the process, the FBI took more than $100 million—including $40,200 from Linda Martin. Now, Linda has her money back, thanks to an IJ lawsuit.
When IJ sued on Bianca King’s behalf back in 2022, it was virtually impossible to legally operate a home business in Lakeway, Texas. Now, she can continue her home day care, and entrepreneurs throughout the city are free to offer services and sell handmade goods out of their homes, so long as they aren’t hurting anyone.
We celebrate, and dig into, two victories for property rights this week—both in IJ cases! First, a win against Detroit’s vehicle seizure program. Then, the end of a government program to take books from publishers without paying.
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