Featured Cases
Immunity and Accountability | Private Property
US Citizen and Army Veteran Submits Claims for Unconstitutional Immigration Detention
George Retes, a U.S. citizen and Iraq War veteran, was detained for three days after encountering an ICE roadblock on his way to work.
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IJ Protects COnstitutional Rights
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.
See IJ’s Supreme Court Cases
All Cases
First Amendment
Battling the Real Estate Establishment: New Hampshire’s Free Speech Rights Not For Sale
Economic Liberty
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity: Challenging Minneapolis’ Sign Licensing Law
Economic Liberty
Up a Creek Without a Paddle: Summer Camp Challenges Pennsylvania’s River Rafting Cartel
Economic Liberty
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity
Commercial Speech | First Amendment
Challenging Minnesota’s Advertising and Internet Speech Ban That Bottles Up Wineries and Consumers
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Arizona Weed Control
First Amendment
Stifling Political Speech: Stifling Political Speech: Challenging Colorado’s Campaign Finance Regulations
First Amendment
Free Speech Under Fire: Politically Motivated Prosecutors Seek to Restrict Media Discussion of Political Issues
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Missouri Caskets
Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity: Untangling African Hair Braiders from Minnesota's Cosmetology Regime
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Arizona Supreme Court Declines Review Of Tempe Eminent Domain Case: Property Owners Rejoice, Await City of Tempe’s Next Move
Economic Liberty
No Room at the Inn—Challenging Seattle's Irrational Bed & Breakfast Regulations
4th Amendment Project | Private Property
Live Free or Die?: New Hampshire Homeowners Forced to Open Doors to Inspectors Or Suffer Consequences
Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity: Untangling African Hair Braiders from Washington's Cosmetology Regime
Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing
Challenging Barriers To Economic Opportunity: Untangling African Hair Braiders from Mississippi's Cosmetology Regime
4th Amendment Project | Private Property | Rental Inspections
Mandatory Inspections of Rental Property: Is Your Apartment Your Castle?
Commercial Speech | First Amendment | Sign Codes
Advertising Ban Is Sign of Big Government: Washington's City of Lynnwood Bans Signs For Businesses But Not for Politicians
First Amendment | Political Speech
The Dirty Truth about Arizona’s “Clean Elections” Act: U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Strike Down Program that Discourages Free Speech, Puts Thumb on Scales for Government-Funded Political Candidates
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing
Let a Thousand Florists Bloom: Uprooting Outrageous Licensing Laws In Louisiana
Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing