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Institute for Justice updates
Just Compensation
Property Owner Sues Macon-Bibb County Over Unconstitutional Home Demolition Practice
In 2023, Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, demolished Eric Arnold’s house—tearing down the house that Eric was actively and carefully renovating into rubble and then carting that rubble away—with no court proceeding, no notice, and no financial compensation. Over the past three years, Macon-Bibb County has demolished over 800 houses that it has designated as blighted through a fast-tracked, secret code enforcement process that completely avoids court proceedings and deprives property owners of a meaningful chance to protect their property. To vindicate his rights, Eric has teamed up with IJ to sue Macon-Bibb County in state court.
Victory For Free Speech: Texas Veterinarian Wins First Amendment Case on Giving Pet Advice Online
From 2002 to 2012, Dr. Ron Hines—a retired and physically disabled Texas-licensed veterinarian—used the internet to give advice to pet owners across the country and around the globe. Then, Ron discovered that he had been on a decade-long crime spree. In Texas, it is illegal for a veterinarian to give advice online without first physically examining the animal. Last week, 5th Circuit ruled that this was a violation of Ron's free speech rights.
Innocent Mother Jailed for Three Days Over Mistaken Identity
What was supposed to be a joyous Christmas celebration turned into a nightmare for Jennifer Heath Box when Broward County, Florida, sheriff’s deputies arrested her and threw her in jail for three days—all because they refused to check their paperwork to make sure they had the right person. The Jennifer that police wanted was 23 years younger, five inches shorter, and had a different last name than the Jennifer they arrested. Jennifer is teaming up with IJ to hold Broward County and its officials responsible for their mistakes.
Beyond the Brief: Popular Family Store Fights Bogus Eminent Domain
Can the government take your land just because they don’t like you? That’s happening to Brinkmann’s Hardware, a beloved local store in Long Island. We talk with Hank Brinkmann and IJ Senior Attorney Jeff Redfern about how Brinkmann’s Hardware went from a small family shop to a champion of property rights—and their path all the way to the Supreme Court.
“Effects” isn’t a word that most people associate with “my stuff” these days. But that’s what it means in the Fourth Amendment. Our “effects” are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures just as much as “person, houses” and “papers.” Unfortunately, the D.C. police don’t agree.
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