Plane Seized Over Six-Pack of Budweiser. Seriously.
Podcast (deep-dive): Play in new window | Download
Can the government take a $95,000 plane because a passenger used it to transport a six pack of Budweiser? The Alaska Supreme Court says yes but the U.S. Constitution says no.
Today we chat with IJ attorneys Sam Gedge and Kirby West to discuss an outrageous new case from the Last Frontier and how forfeiture interacts with excessive fines, free speech, and more.
Related News
Alaska Pilot Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Stop State from Taking His $95,000 Airplane for Passenger’s Beer
April 3, 2012, began like any other day for Ken Jouppi, a longtime Alaskan pilot. He was ferrying a passenger and her groceries from Fairbanks to the village of Beaver. But hidden in the passenger’s…
Related Case
4th Amendment Project | Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Detroit Civil Forfeiture
Detroit, Michigan
For decades, residents of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan have lived under constant threat of having their cars taken away and ransomed back to them for $1,000 or more—that is, if the car is ever recovered. In 2020, two Detroiters teamed up with IJ to challenge this unconstitutional civil forfeiture program.
Recent Episodes
SEIZED CASH: Americans Struggle to Get Property Back
In America, police and prosecutors can take your cash, your car, or even your home through a legal process called civil forfeiture—without convicting or even […]
Listen NowInsane Political Retaliation in Arizona
When an Arizona educator named “Fernie” Madrid ran for Apache County School Superintendent he had no idea it would lead to stalking, anonymous threatening letters, […]
Listen NowWhy is it ILLEGAL to Sell This Box?
Candi Mentink and Todd Collard sell personalized caskets to honor the deceased person’s unique life. They can ship these caskets almost anywhere in the world, […]
Listen NowCity Tried to CONDEMN Property Over 2 Stray Cats
What happens when the government tries to take well-kept homes and businesses by slapping them with a “blight” label that doesn’t fit? Perth Amboy, New […]
Listen Now