Plus small business gets back money seized at FedEx. | View in browser
Institute for Justice updates
Fourth Amendment
Case Closed: Pasco Sheriff Admits “Predictive Policing” Program Violated Constitution
The Sheriff’s office of Pasco County, Florida, harassed people in their own homes using a method they call “predictive policing.” Using a crude computer algorithm, the Sheriff’s office created a list of people they thought were likely to commit crimes in the future, including minors. Deputies then harassed people on the list and their families, banging on windows in the middle of the night and arresting people for trumped-up code violations. On the eve of trial, the sheriff capitulated—admitting that the program resulted in repeated constitutional violations, pledging that it will never resume, and agreeing to a six-figure settlement.
Family Jewelry Business Will Get Back Money Seized at Indianapolis FedEx Hub
Indianapolis is home to the second-largest FedEx Express hub. There, law enforcement officials pluck packages from conveyor belts, run them past K-9s, and, if a dog alerts and the officers find cash, the county prosecutor’s office begins civil forfeiture proceedings in Indiana state court to keep the money.
Jacksonville, NC Small Business Owners Win Appeal in Lawsuit Against City’s Ban on Food Trucks
Under Jacksonville’s burdensome zoning rules, food trucks are effectively banned in more than 96% of the city in order to protect brick-and-mortar restaurants. IJ sued on behalf of small business owners who want to host food trucks on private property. Now, a state appeals court has resurrected the case.
When the government calls well-maintained businesses “blight,” we call them out.
The Manchester Corridor in Brentwood, Missouri, is home to many thriving family-owned businesses. But the city called the entire neighborhood blighted in order to justify using its eminent domain power to force these well-loved businesses to close shop so a private developer can make way for new businesses, all in the name of economic development.
Notable—and quotable—Chicago lawyer Patrick Eckler, A co-host of the Podium and Panel Podcast, gives a primer on how 7th Circuit judges look at things The Chicago Way and then explains how a recent oral argument went off the rails quite quickly.
We explain how the Eleventh Circuit concluded that CNN might be liable for defamation after one of its commentators said Project Veritas had been suspended from Twitter for “misinformation” when it had, in fact, very truthfully doxxed someone. Then we discuss a 3rd Circuit where Section 230 immunity runs into a TikTok algorithm.
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