In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in Kelo v. New London that a city might take property from one private owner and transfer it to another for economic redevelopment. The ruling marked a new interpretation of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, and set a precedent which has raised significant questions regarding government takings and property rights. The ruling also reawakened a public interest in private property and created a vicious reaction among many citizens, journalists, academics, and legislators. This book is unique because it offers an in-depth analysis of the case law found in the opinions and decisions of the state and federal courts, but also uses a variety of other sources including the oral argument before the Supreme Court, the amicus curiae briefs, American political and legal history, as well as the personal stories of those involved in the case. This book also analyzes the public backlash from several different perspectives including opinion polls, media coverage, academic articles and commentary, subsequent case law, and legislative action. Finally, this book offers an insightful critique of the case, including what the Supreme Court got wrong, what it got right, and where the law and courts should go from here.

The on-going battle between government's desire to regulate private property use and property owners' equally powerful desire to avoid economically damaging or unreasonable limitations on their property is one of the most emotionally charged and fiercely contested issues in contemporary law. An enormous amount of litigation at every level of government has stemmed from questions surrounding the timing and amount of government compensation to an owner of regulated property. The relevant law has undergone a complete transformation over the past decade, so count on the Law of Property Rights Protection to bring you completely up to date. Organized according to the major elements of a property rights case, the book: Analyzes the case law and identifies which challenges were successful, what fact patterns proved compelling, and what tactics have failed. Offers advice on how best to handle common situations Covers the full range of property, drawing on recent cases involving contract rights, lease hold rights, an unpatented mining claim, the possibility of reverter, the right of entry, the use of water power, and the right to exclude members of the public from a shopping center. Using Laitos' strategic approach will help you formulate your own arguments and handle taking cases with confidence.

What sort of rights are entailed in the ownership of private property? Exploring this debate, this objective guide aims to enhance readers' understanding of this pivotal issue.

In an effort to understand the reasons for and consequences of the political backlash to the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Kelo v. New London, this book brings together a diverse group of scholars and practitioners who explore the uses and abuses of eminent domain and regulatory takings.