Tyler v. Hennepin County
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Tyler v. Hennepin County and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Tyler v. Hennepin County.
Geraldine Tyler challenged Hennepin County's retention of $25,000 in excess proceeds from the sale of her condominium, arguing it violated the Takings Clause. The Supreme Court found that Tyler plausibly alleged a violation of the Takings Clause, as the County's actions constituted a taking of property without just compensation. The Court also addressed Tyler's standing to bring the claim.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Tyler v. Hennepin County.
The Court held that Tyler plausibly alleges that Hennepin County's retention of the excess value of her home above her tax debt violated the Takings Clause.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Tyler v. Hennepin County. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Takings Clause is relevant to Tyler v. Hennepin County
The Court held that the retention of excess value from a tax sale constitutes a taking under the Fifth Amendment.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Held: Tyler plausibly alleges that Hennepin County's retention of the excess value of her home above her tax debt violated the Takings Clause.
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Why Standing is relevant to Tyler v. Hennepin County
The Court addressed whether Tyler had standing to bring her takings claim.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Tyler's claim that the County illegally appropriated the $25,000 surplus constitutes a classic pocketbook injury suffcient to give her standing.
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Why Excessive Fines is relevant to Tyler v. Hennepin County
The case involved a claim under the Excessive Fines Clause, although it was not central to the Court's holding.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Tyler fled suit, alleging that the County had unconstitutionally retained the excess value of her home above her tax debt in violation of the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment and the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Tyler v. Hennepin County that support the summary and concepts above.
Tyler plausibly alleges that Hennepin County's retention of the excess value of her home above her tax debt violated the Takings Clause.
Tyler's claim that the County illegally appropriated the $25,000 surplus constitutes a classic pocketbook injury sufficient to give her standing.
The principle that a government may not take from a taxpayer more than she owes is rooted in English law.
