IJ Pillar
Rule of Law
IJ fights for individual freedom when it’s threatened by unchecked abuse of government power.
The Institute for Justice fights to uphold the rule of law—put simply, the idea that government power is limited by law. The rule of law ensures that, when the government exercises its power to restrict the ordinary activities of its citizens, it must do so within constitutional limits, through just procedures, and subject to meaningful accountability. The rule of law protects freedom by ensuring fairness and providing recourse when the government violates individual rights.
One way to understand IJ’s work in this area is that IJ holds government to the law before, during, and after the fact:
IJ’s cases focus on areas where the rule of law protects the ability of ordinary people to lead peaceful and productive lives, whether they are farmers forced to defend themselves against ruinous fines in rigged agency courts; drivers subjected to roving surveillance; or homeowners raided by SWAT teams based on a mistaken address.
By fighting to uphold structures and procedures that limit the unfettered exercise of government power, we protect individual liberty from arbitrary action.
Rule of Law Issues
Fines and Fees
IJ fights to stop taxation by citation and policing for profit.
Project on Immunity and Accountability
IJ combats legal doctrines that stand in the way of meaningful accountability for government mistakes and misconduct.
Unjust Proceedings
IJ fights to ensure that individuals targeted for fines, forfeitures, or other government penalties get a fair trial in a real court.
Warrantless Surveillance
IJ fights government surveillance programs that gather private information about the ordinary activities of innocent people.
Rule of Law Cases
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Chicago Homeowner Sues After Warrantless Raid by Federal Agents
When federal agents ransack an innocent homeowner’s private property without a warrant, it’s a clear violation of the Constitution, and there must be a way to hold them accountable.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Long Island Man Fights for His Day in Court
An experienced electrician was badly shocked due to a government employee's mistake. Now, he's fighting for his day in court.
Fines and Fees | Private Property | Rule of Law
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether the government’s fining a retiree out of his life’s savings for a paperwork violation is an “excessive fine.”
Eighty-eight-year-old retiree Tuncay Saydam is at risk of losing his life’s savings. Not because of a bad investment or a fraudulent scheme. Rather, the federal government is trying to fine Tuncay…
4th Amendment Project | License Plate Readers | Rule of Law | Warrantless Surveillance
San Jose residents file federal lawsuit challenging city's use of nearly 500 license plate reader cameras
San Jose residents file federal class action lawsuit challenging city's use of nearly 500 license plate read cameras.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Atlanta Woman Sues Officers, U.S. Government for Wrongly Raiding Her Home in Search of Man Already in Jail
More than a dozen heavily armed law enforcement officers stormed Cathy George's apartment, looking for a fugitive who had no connection to Cathy and who was already in custody.
Rule of Law News
Victory! Court Rejects Qualified Immunity in Louisiana Motorists’ Case, Allowing Fourth Amendment Claims of an Unconstitutional Traffic Stop to Continue
NEW OLREANS—For nearly four years, Mario Rosales and Gracie Lasyone have pursued justice over an unconstitutional traffic stop and roadside questioning by two Alexandria, Louisiana, police officers. Last year, Mario and…
Federal Court Orders DHS to Stop Detaining People with Valid Identification and Halts Warrantless Construction Site Raids
MOBILE, Ala.—A federal judge in Alabama ordered immigration officers to stop warrantless raids of construction sites, to stop detaining construction workers without a reason to suspect that a specific individual…
FinCEN Renews Financial Surveillance Order Declared Illegal in 9th Circuit
ARLINGTON, Va.—Yesterday, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reissued an order requiring certain businesses in targeted ZIP codes in New Mexico and Texas to report all cash transactions above $1,000.
US Citizen and Construction Worker Wins First Round in His Lawsuit Over Repeated Unconstitutional Detentions
MOBILE, Ala.—A judge in Alabama granted Leo Garcia Venegas, an American citizen and construction worker, a first-round victory in his federal lawsuit aimed at stopping unconstitutional raids and detentions by immigration officers. Judge…
Institute for Justice Sounds Alarm on Smithtown Surveillance
IJ is warning residents of Smithtown, New York, that the town appears to have virtually no safeguards governing its new 250-camera surveillance network.
Institute for Justice Calls Flock Safety’s Proposed Reforms ‘Window Dressing’
ARLINGTON, Va.—Today, the Institute for Justice (IJ) released a statement responding to suggested “reforms” announced by automated license plate reader (ALPR) provider Flock Safety. “This is…