The Institute for Justice litigates to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans. IJ defends ordinary people who want to earn an honest living, own and enjoy their property, speak freely, and give their children a good education but find that the government is standing in their way.
We fight to hold government officials accountable when they violate constitutional rights and to prevent governments at all levels from bending the rules to expand their power or advance illegitimate ends.
IJ wins three out of four cases through outright courtroom victories or legislative change prompted by our lawsuits.
Featured Cases

Immunity and Accountability
Lawsuit Appeal Asks Court If Deputy Should Get Immunity Even Though His Actions Landed Him in Prison
Roswell, NM
In 2018, Mario Rosales became the victim of a deputy’s road rage. He was driving his yellow Mustang home when he passed Chaves County Sheriff’s Deputy David Bradshaw, who was off-duty and in his personal…

First Amendment | Immunity and Accountability | Political Speech
East Cleveland Retaliation


4th Amendment Project | Immunity and Accountability
USPS Mail Seizure
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated …” -Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution In the spring…
Cosmetology | Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing
Challenging Barriers to Economic Opportunity

Eminent Domain | Private Property
Public Power, Private Gain: The Abuse of Eminent Domain
Educational Choice
Vermont's School Choice Program: Neutral to Religion

Educational Choice | Publicly Funded Scholarships
Cleveland, Ohio, School Choice (State Case)
Private Property | Rental Inspections
Searching Without Consent: Government's Assault on the Sanctity of the Home
Educational Choice
Southeast Delco, Pennsylvania

Private Property
Bogged Down in Minnesota's Regulatory Swamp

Economic Liberty | Transportation
IJ Breaks Up Denver's 50-Year-Old Taxi Monopoly
Educational Choice