Plus the origins of forfeiture on Bound By Oath. | View in browser
Institute for Justice updates
IJ Strategy
Turning Losses Into Opportunities For High Court Review
Supreme Court victories are important—IJ had two of them just this year. But to get to the high court requires seizing opportunities whenever they arise, often by losing in a lower court. Recent cases involving eminent domain and the destruction of an innocent person's property drew powerful dissents from judges who agreed with IJ’s position, and both now give us a chance to ask the Supreme Court to take up the case.
Two recent decisions from the federal courts of appeals show the impact that IJ’s Project on Immunity and Accountability is having—and how much work remains to be done. In Massachusetts, an appeals court overturned a lower court’s ruling granting qualified immunity to school administrators who threatened to prosecute a parent for filming them. But in Louisiana, the Fifth Circuit dealt a serious blow to an IJ client challenging his overdetention.
Several years ago, IJ teamed up with home baker Cindy Harper to successfully push Nebraska to join the vast majority of states that allow home cooks to sell shelf-stable foods like cookies and jam. Now, the Cornhusker State's gone even further, ensuring opportunity for home cooks and choice for consumers no matter where in the state they live.
Stand with IJ against government abuse! Join our Merry Band of Monthly Donors by October 15 at $22/month or more and receive our exclusive 2025 IJ Calendar. Your monthly gift makes a real impact—support our mission today at ij.org/calendar!
IJ Podcasts
Bound By Oath: Punishment Without Crime
Civil forfeiture is a civil rights nightmare, allowing police and prosecutors to seize billions of dollars’ worth of property annually without charging anyone with a crime. We trace the rise of the modern forfeiture regime in the 1970s and 80s.
Beyond the Brief: To Serve, Protect, and...Fish for Cash? Bogus Traffic Stops Violate 4th Amendment
On a typical day, police officers pull over more than 50,000 drivers. If you’ve had a recent encounter with police, chances are good it was during a traffic stop. Traffic stops can lead to searches, arrests, and worse. So how did vehicles become Fourth-Amendment-free zones?
Part of the job description of a journalist is talk to public officials, gather information, and report on it. Unfortunately, that seems to be a crime in Texas. JT Morris of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) joins us to discuss this long running case and a pending cert petition at the Supreme Court.
Your tax-deductible contribution helps IJ fight for Americans’ rights. IJ defends ordinary people who want to pursue their vision of the American Dream but find that the government is standing in their way. We stand with our clients no matter how long their cases take and we win nearly 75% of the time.
