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
Commercial Speech | First Amendment | Sign Codes
Advertising Ban Is Sign of Big Government: Washington's City of Lynnwood Bans Signs For Businesses But Not for Politicians
First Amendment | Political Speech
The Dirty Truth about Arizona’s “Clean Elections” Act: U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Strike Down Program that Discourages Free Speech, Puts Thumb on Scales for Government-Funded Political Candidates
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Let a Thousand Florists Bloom: Uprooting Outrageous Licensing Laws In Louisiana
Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Norwood, Ohio Homeowners & Small Businesses Battle City & Private Developer Over Eminent Domain Abuse
First Amendment
Got Free Speech?: IJ & Independent Dairy Farmers Challenge Mandatory Milk Advertising
Commercial Speech | First Amendment | Sign Codes
Banning “For Sale” Signs: The Latest Sign of a Growing Nanny State
Commercial Speech | Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Food Freedom | Sign Codes
Vindicating Free Speech: City of Redmond Sign Ordinance Punches Hole in Bagel Entrepreneur’s First Amendment Rights
Educational Choice | Publicly Funded Scholarships
Florida School Choice: Opportunity Scholarship Programs
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Ending Prosecution for Profit in Utah: Citizens Demand Prosecutors Follow State’s Civil Forfeiture Law
Educational Choice | Publicly Funded Scholarships
Securing Educational Opportunity For Colorado Families: Institute for Justice and Colorado Parents Defend Historic Parental Choice Program
First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation
The Michigan Education Association Tries to Take the "Free" Out of "Free Speech"
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Ohio’s “City of Homes” Faces Wrecking Ball of Eminent Domain Abuse: Homeowners Challenge Bogus “Blight” Designation
Commercial Speech | Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Occupational Licensing
A Web of Restrictions?: Challenging California’s Free Speech Restrictions on Internet Real Estate Advertising Sites
Economic Liberty
One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Monopoly: Seattle's Independent “Mosquito Fleet” Challenges the Government-Imposed Construction Waste Hauling Monopoly
First Amendment
Vindicating Free Speech: Doughnut Entrepreneur Punches Holes In City of Mesa Sign Ordinance That Chills Speech
4th Amendment Project | Private Property | Rental Inspections
Tenants Win Battle to Stop Government Abuse: Yuma Rewrites Rental Inspection Ordinance; Lawsuit Challenging Yuma Warrantless Searches Dismissed
Educational Choice
The Next Step for School Choice: Removing State Constitutional Obstacles
Educational Choice
Clearing the Road Ahead for School Choice: Institute for Justice Asks U.S. Supreme Court To End Religious Discrimination & Vindicate Parental Liberty
Eminent Domain | Private Property