Institute for Justice

08/26/2026

Victory for California homeowners!

After years of crushing fines and delayed hearings, Humboldt County’s unconstitutional code-enforcement system is being dismantled. This settlement gives IJ’s clients their lives back and sends a clear message: government can’t fine first and ask questions later.

08/25/2026

Major Victory:

After California legalized ma*****na, Humboldt County turned code enforcement into a revenue operation. Relying on old satellite photographs and often no on-the-ground investigation at all, the county accused more than 1,200 property owners of cannabis violations and levied hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.

Corrine and Doug Thomas were told they owed over $1 million because a previous owner had grown ma*****na inside the barn behind their home. Blu Graham requested a hearing in 2018 to show his greenhouses had vegetables, not cannabis, but he waited four and a half years, as fines accrued, until the county finally scheduled one just as he prepared to sue. In October 2022, the Thomases, Graham and others teamed up with IJ to fight back in federal court.

This week, we won!

Under the new agreement, the county will withdraw every outstanding cannabis-related notice of violation for property owners who challenged the penalties and will adopt significant reforms to its code enforcement procedures going forward.

Five Humboldt County property owners, represented by the Institute for Justice (IJ), have reached a settlement with Humboldt County that dismantles the code-enforcement system the […]

08/20/2026

They Took His $95,000 Plane Over a 6-Pack

08/20/2026

This State Made a Promise to Kids with Disabilities. Then Broke It

08/19/2026

Hunting Clubs Took on Warrantless Game Warden Searches—and Won

08/18/2026

Law students: Go behind the scenes of constitutional litigation at IJ’s 2026 Legal Intensive!

Join us November 6–7, 2026, in Arlington, VA, for IJ’s annual law student experience, featuring a one-day Legal Intensive designed to bring public interest litigation to life.

This year, we’ll take students through the full life of a constitutional case—from the initial trial court filing to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Along the way, we’ll highlight IJ’s work litigating at every level, including the three IJ cases the Supreme Court has agreed to hear—two of which will be argued the week after the Legal Intensive!

Students will hear directly from IJ attorneys and clients, learn practical litigation strategies, and put those skills to work through interactive sessions and a mock IJ case.

🌎 Open to law students nationwide
✈️ Travel and lodging covered for non-local students
Learn more & apply: https://ij.org/event/law-student-event-fall-2026-legal-intensive/

Know a law student who might be interested? Tag them in the comments and help spread the word!

08/17/2026

Cities Keep Dismissing Flock Camera Concerns

08/14/2026

One year ago, IJ launched the Plate Privacy Project to fight warrantless license plate surveillance. Since then, we’ve taken the fight coast to coast—through litigation, public education, and policy reform.

Year one was just the beginning. Learn more about the fight to protect Americans from mass surveillance at plateprivacy.com!

08/13/2026

Our summer clerks and interns are wrapping up their time at IJ!

Before they go, we caught up with them to hear about their summer, what it’s been like working at IJ, and what they’re still looking forward to.

08/11/2026

Federal agents raided Leo Feler’s Chicago property without a warrant—scaling his gate and balcony, entering his garage, and leaving behind $30,000 in damage.

The Fourth Amendment protects our homes from unreasonable government intrusion.

A warrant isn’t optional. It’s the law.