Difference between revisions of "Eminent domain"
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| − | + | Eminent domain is the right of government, under English and American law, to take private property for public use, such as building a courthouse or completing a highway. The basis for eminent domain is the assertion by the sovereign of power over all land in its jurisdiction. | |
| − | Under the | + | Under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the government must pay "just compensation" to the owner of the private property that is taken. However, "just compensation" usually does not include intangible values of the property, such as its business good will with customers or its personal sentimental value. Often "just compensation" is set by a condemnation hearing that does not even give fair market value. |
| − | In the decision of ''Kelo v. New London'' (2005), the | + | In the decision of ''Kelo v. New London'' (2005), the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to include "public purpose" such as increased tax revenues as a substitute for "public use" in eminent domain. This enables towns to take private property from homeowners and small businesses to give the property to large corporations, such as large retail "box" stores like Home Depot. This sparked a public outrage and several state courts (e.g., Michigan and Ohio) have required public use, as have several state legislators. |
The term "eminent domain" was first coined by [[Hugo Grotius]] in 1625. [Note: in a mistake in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it says the term originated in 1783.] | The term "eminent domain" was first coined by [[Hugo Grotius]] in 1625. [Note: in a mistake in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it says the term originated in 1783.] | ||
[[Category:United States law]] | [[Category:United States law]] | ||
Revision as of 17:32, May 21, 2007
Eminent domain is the right of government, under English and American law, to take private property for public use, such as building a courthouse or completing a highway. The basis for eminent domain is the assertion by the sovereign of power over all land in its jurisdiction.
Under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the government must pay "just compensation" to the owner of the private property that is taken. However, "just compensation" usually does not include intangible values of the property, such as its business good will with customers or its personal sentimental value. Often "just compensation" is set by a condemnation hearing that does not even give fair market value.
In the decision of Kelo v. New London (2005), the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to include "public purpose" such as increased tax revenues as a substitute for "public use" in eminent domain. This enables towns to take private property from homeowners and small businesses to give the property to large corporations, such as large retail "box" stores like Home Depot. This sparked a public outrage and several state courts (e.g., Michigan and Ohio) have required public use, as have several state legislators.
The term "eminent domain" was first coined by Hugo Grotius in 1625. [Note: in a mistake in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it says the term originated in 1783.]