Case seeks to overturn dangerous precedent enabling Detroit to systematically seize cars from innocent owners and then ransom them back for hundreds or thousands of dollars
For decades, Detroit police, sheriff’s deputies, and Wayne County prosecutors have systematically abused the constitutional rights of drivers by using a controversial tactic called civil forfeiture to seize and sell thousands of cars—oftentimes from completely innocent owners. Now, the Institute for Justice (IJ)—a nonprofit, public interest law firm—has partnered with a group of Detroit drivers…
WHAT: Appeals Court Hearing WHEN: Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. WHERE: U.S. Court of Appeals for The Fifth Circuit 600 Camp Street New Orleans, LA 70130 Four years ago, while Gerardo Serrano was waiting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border at Eagle Pass, Texas, he snapped a few photos to share on…
New city rules make room for innovative mobile businesses that sell clothes, art, jewelry, and more
CHICAGO—Five years ago, Juana Ryan started a mobile art gallery selling her own work and works from other Chicago artists—StellaLily. Her innovative idea, however, did not fit neatly into the city’s regulatory scheme. After more than a year of confusion about how to operate legally, Juana and other mobile boutiques were eventually provided an emerging…
With change, Linda Cameron can finally renovate her home without also having to pay to renovate a nearby city street
Following a federal lawsuit brought by the Institute for Justice, the City of Richland has ended its practice of unconstitutionally forcing homeowners to upgrade city streets as a condition of obtaining a building permit. As a result of that change, Linda Cameron is free to renovate her Richland home without first paying upwards of $60,000…
National advocate for food entrepreneurs rebukes attempt by Lancaster County Health Department to undermine recently passed state reforms
Lincoln, Neb.—Less than a year after Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed legislation allowing Nebraskans to sell safe homemade foods, the Lancaster County Health Department introduced a bill that, if passed, would be a major step back for food entrepreneurs and the “buy local” movement. The Institute for Justice (IJ), a national advocate for home-based entrepreneurs,…
Miladis Salgado luchó con éxito para recuperar el dinero de la quinceañera de su hija, pero ahora el gobierno se niega a pagar los honorarios de su abogado
MIAMI—El 11 de mayo de 2015, Miladis Salgado regresó a su casa y descubrió que su vida tuvo un giro inesperado. Mientras ella estaba trabajando, la policía ingresó a su casa y confiscó sus ahorros de toda la vida—$15.000 en efectivo que ella estaba ahorrando para la quinceañera de su hija—a partir de información de…
Late yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill (A4970) that will require a criminal conviction before civil forfeiture. Unlike criminal forfeiture, civil forfeiture typically allows the government to take and keep property without charging anyone with a crime. Thanks to the governor’s signature, New Jersey is now the 16th state with a conviction prerequisite to…