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The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution ensures that property owners are protected from potential abuses of eminent domain powers by requiring the government to provide just compensation for property owners. It also gives owners additional rights if their land is condemned for public use. Learn how the Fifth Amendment may help protect your rights as a landowner and see when to get legal help from an attorney.
What Does the Fifth Amendment Say Regarding Government Takings?
The Fifth Amendment, often called the “Takings Clause,” establishes that “private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.” This clause ensures that the government cannot seize private property without providing fair compensation to the owner. Moreover, it guarantees certain procedural protections, ensuring property owners have a say in the eminent domain process.
For instance, if the government uses eminent domain to construct a highway, the land owner has the right to receive fair market value for the land taken. In addition, the landowner also has the right to dispute the government’s decision to take their land, and they may also disagree with the amount of compensation offered by the government.
What Is Defined as Just Compensation Under the Fifth Amendment?
One critical protection the Fifth Amendment provides is the requirement for just compensation. Just compensation refers to the amount that will place the property owner in a position that is no worse off financially than before the government took their property.
Several factors are considered in determining the property’s value, including the market value, which considers the current market conditions and what a willing buyer would pay for the property. Other factors may include the property’s location, size, condition, potential use, and unique characteristics. In the case of a partial taking, the owner may be entitled to additional damages if they are left with an unusable portion of land (an “uneconomic remnant”).
The Supreme Court has also determined that the government may seize private property for public use as long as the property owner is fairly compensated, regardless of the area’s size or its economic impact on the property owner. In other words, property owners should be compensated even if the government only takes a tiny portion of land for public use.
What Does the Fifth Amendment Say Concerning Public Use?
The Fifth Amendment also emphasizes eminent domain’s “public use” aspect. The government can only take private property for a public purpose, such as building public infrastructure, expanding public services, or promoting economic development. For instance, a state may take privately owned land to construct a road connecting two cities or develop a public park that would benefit the local community.
In contrast, there are also many examples of eminent domain abuse. For example, suppose a government entity takes private property because it claims the property is blighted and abandoned, then transfers it to a private developer. The developer builds a private office building that may not necessarily fit the requirements of “public use.” In this case, one may question whether the government is abusing its eminent domain powers and unfairly taking private property.
How Does the Right to Due Process Affect Eminent Domain Cases?
In addition to just compensation and the public use requirement, the Constitution provides procedural protections to property owners facing eminent domain cases. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits the government from depriving anyone of “life, liberty or property without due process of law.” That means property owners can only have their property acquired through eminent domain with due process, including a notice of the government’s intent to take their property and the opportunity to present their case in court.
Likewise, property owners have the right to challenge the decision if they believe it is unjust or does not meet the public use requirement. They can argue that the proposed taking does not serve a public purpose or that the compensation offered is not just. In order to achieve that, it is best to work with a skilled eminent domain attorney who can help you stand up for your rights. If you need help with an eminent domain case, contact our team at Hansen, Howell & Wilkie, PLLC, at 919-256-5266.