Kelo v. New London
Summary of the Majority Opinion
In a 5-to-4 decision, the Supreme Court held, on June 23, 2005, that the Fifth Amendment rights are not violated when an individual’s property is condemned solely for purposes of "economic development." The following is excerpted from the summary of the majority opinion written by Justice Stevens, as prepared by the Court Reporter of Decisions: After approving an integrated development plan designed to revitalize its ailing economy, respondent city, through its development agent, purchased most of the property earmarked for the project from willing sellers, but initiated condemnation proceedings when petitioners, the owners of the rest of the property, refused…
