IJ's Cases
Featured Cases
Alaska Pilot Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Stop State from Taking His $95,000 Airplane for Passenger’s Beer
The Case April 3rd, 2012, began like any other day for Ken Jouppi, a longtime bush pilot in Alaska. He was scheduled to fly a passenger and her groceries from Fairbanks to the village of Beaver. Hidden in the passenger’s luggage, though, were two cases of Budweiser, along with four additional six-packs. They were intended as a gift to…
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U.S. Supreme Court Cases
IJ has argued 13 cases before the United States Supreme Court, winning 11. These landmark cases have expanded constitutional protections for all Americans.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
The FBI Raided the Wrong Home—the Government Refuses to Pay for the Damage
FBI agents raided the wrong home in suburban Atlanta. Now the federal government refuses to compensate the victims even though Congress passed a law permitting suits for damages caused by federal employees.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Taking on The Shell Games That Allow Federal/State Task Force Members To Violate Your Rights
After misidentifying him as a non-violent fugitive, police brutally beat James King, choked him unconscious, and then prosecuted him to hide their mistake.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Federal lawsuit seeks to revive the Fourth Amendment’s requirements for warrants
The Fourth Amendment requires that warrants be supported by “oath or affirmation” but that requirement means almost nothing today because of a decades old Supreme Court decision. Michael Mendenhall’s case could revive the original meaning and protect people from unreasonable searches.
All Cases
First Amendment | Political Speech
Protecting Citizen Speech: Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality Of Florida Campaign Finance Regulations Kicks Off Nationwide Campaign
Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Occupational Licensing | Occupational Speech | Tour Guides
License to Describe: Challenging Washington D.C.’s Tour-Guide Licensing Scheme
The First Amendment protects everyone who talks for a living, whether they’re journalists, professors or tour guides.
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Free the Monks and Free Enterprise: Challenging Louisiana’s Casket Cartel
Economic Liberty
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity: Freeing Small Farms through Free Trade
First Amendment
Protecting Americans’ Right To Engage In Grassroots Political Activism
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Ending “Policing for Profit” in Texas: Constitutional Lawsuit Challenges Texas Law Allowing Forfeiture Abuse
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Freeing Louisiana Florists: Licensing Law is Blooming Nonsense
Economic Liberty | Health
Saving Lives: Challenging the Federal Ban on Compensating Bone Marrow Donors
Cosmetology | Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Hanging by a Thread: Texas Eyebrow Threaders Fight Irrational Licensing
Eyebrow threading is a booming industry in Texas. But state bureaucrats are making it difficult for individuals to continue practicing this ancient art.
Economic Liberty | First Amendment
Teaching is Not a Crime: Challenging Virginia’s Unconstitutional Vocational School Licensing Law
Commercial Speech | Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Sign Codes
Dallas Sign Ban Hurts Small Businesses, Violates First Amendment Rights: Law Makes It Nearly Impossible For Entrepreneurs to Advertise
Economic Liberty | Vending
Vindicating the Right to Earn an Honest Living in the Evergreen State: Local Entrepreneur & Institute for Justice challenge San Juan County Vending Ordinance
Commercial Speech | Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Interior Design | Interior Design | Occupational Licensing
Free to Design: Challenging Florida’s Unconstitutional Interior Design Law
Educational Choice
Freeing Special Needs Children From Religious Discrimination in Washington State: IJ-Washington Tackles Blaine Amendments That Limit School Choice and Educational Opportunity
First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Sign Codes
Dangerous Trend: Bulldozing Free Speech
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Beyond Its Authority: Eminent Domain Abuse By the St. Paul Port Authority
First Amendment
Taking on Florida’s Political Speech Police: Challenging Campaign Finance Laws That Create a Statewide “No Speech Zone”
Commercial Speech | Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Interior Design | Interior Design
Challenging Oklahoma's Licensing of Speech For Interior Designers
Commercial Speech | Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Interior Design | Interior Design
Challenging Connecticut’s Licensing of Speech For Interior Designers
Eminent Domain | Private Property