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.
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Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Requiem for a Cartel: Challenging Oklahoma’s Casket Monopoly
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Mississippi Eminent Domain
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Policing and Prosecuting For Profit: New Jersey Ex-Sheriff Fights Civil Forfeiture Abuse
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Eminent Domain Without Limits?: U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Curb Nationwide Abuses
The Case Susette Kelo dreamed of owning a home that looked out over the water. She purchased and lovingly restored her little pink house where the Thames River meets the…
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Hopelessly Rigged: New Yorkers Try to Save Their Property
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Pittsburgh Fifth & Forbes Condemnation
Educational Choice | Tax Credit Scholarships
U.S. Supreme Court Dismisses Legal Challenge to Arizona School Choice Program
Economic Liberty | Food Freedom | Wine
Uncorking Freedom: Challenging Protectionist Restraints on Direct Interstate Wine Shipments to Consumers
Educational Choice | Tax Credit Scholarships
Illinois Tuition Tax Credit
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
The Right to Urn an Honest Living: Challenging Tennessee's Casket Monopoly
First Amendment | Political Speech
Challenging Coerced Subsidies for the Political Class: A First Amendment Lawsuit
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Pittsburgh City Council Tried to Abuse Government’s Eminent Domain Power
Educational Choice | Publicly Funded Scholarships
U.S. Supreme Court issued its most important educational decision since Brown v. Board of Education
The Case On June 27, 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Cleveland’s school choice program in the most important education decision since Brown v. Board of Education. The…
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing | Transportation
The Fight For A Free Market: Opening The Las Vegas Limousine Monopoly
First Amendment
North Dakota Micro-Radio
Educational Choice | Tax Credit Scholarships
Arizona Individual Tax Credit Scholarships (State)
In 1997, Arizona adopted the nation’s first statewide tax credit scholarship program. The program allowed individuals who donate to School Tuition Organizations (STOs) to take a dollar-for-dollar tax credit against their…
Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity: Hosey v. Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
Educational Choice
The Case for School Choice: Raymond, Maine
First Amendment
The CFTC vs. The First Amendment: The Federal Government's Assault on Free Speech
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing