The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today 5-4 that local governments may exercise the right of eminent domain for the purpose of private development that will bring more tax money to the government than the homes that will be destroyed.
The case is Kelo et al v. City of New London, 04-108.
I don’t like this decision at all. My clients are the people living in the homes in poorer parts of town, where this development will probably occur. The houses may be small and cheap, but they are still homes to my clients.
Knowing how politics works, all it will take is some large campaign contributions from real estate developers, and my clients will be booted out of their homes.
On the bright side, there will be a lot more work now for condemnation lawyers…
