Andrew Wimer @andrewwimer Twitter profile

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Andrew Wimer

8 months

"If the United States mean to obtain or deserve the full praise due to wise and just governments, they will equally respect the rights of property, and the property in rights." James Madison, 1792

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

BREAKING NEWS 🚨 @IJ is taking on one of the most predatory civil forfeiture schemes we have ever seen. Indiana is intercepting packages at a FedEx shipping hub, running K-9s over them, and forfeiting any cash found w/o saying a specific crime that was violated.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

The owners of a California wholesale jewelry business are having to prove their innocence to keep money a customer tried to send to them. They have never even been to Indiana. Now they are fighting back to defend their money and stop the abuses:

Family Jewelry Business Fights Back to End Predatory Civil Forfeitures at Indianapolis FedEx Hub -...

INDIANAPOLIS—Henry and Minh Cheng have crisscrossed the country selling jewelry to small businesses for three decades. They have never done business in Indiana. Yet today […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

IJ will be holding a press conference at 11 am ET with our attorneys and client. Reporters can DM me for login information. More information and legal documents here:

Family Jewelry Business Fights Back to End Predatory Civil Forfeitures at Indianapolis FedEx Hub

Henry and Minh Cheng, who run a wholesale jewelry business, are fighting Indiana to keep money a customer sent them through FedEx. Indiana police seized the money and prosecutors are trying to take...

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

9 months

🚨 Big news in @IJ 's case on behalf of security deposit box owners in L.A. The 9th Circuit reverses and declares the FBI's opening of individual boxes was unconstitutional. Orders government to destroy records. Release here:

Federal Appeals Court Slams FBI’s Actions In Security Deposit Box Raid - Institute for Justice

PASADENA, Calif.—This morning, a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel unanimously ruled against the government in a long-running class action lawsuit from the Institute […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

DC wants to be the first place in the US to make daycare workers get college degrees. A court just said the law makes sense in part because it will help workers answer nonsensical questions from 2 year-olds. Why do you need to give a 2YO a factually correct answer?

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

If this outrages you, please consider joining @IJ in the fight against abusive civil forfeiture. Our donors are the ones who make it possible for us to represent Henry and Minh and fight for them to get every single dollar back.

Give Now - Institute for Justice

Support IJ today with an online donation.

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

When the FBI and DOJ asked for a warrant to raid US Private Vaults, it didn't tell the judge of their plans to seize every box with more than $5,000 and try to take them forever through #CivilForfeiture . New release in this blockbuster @IJ case:

Lawsuit Uncovers the Inside Story of the FBI’s Plans to Take Security Deposit Boxes without...

LOS ANGELES—When the FBI asked a federal magistrate judge for a warrant to seize the property of US Private Vaults, it concealed critical details about […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

Actually, what they want first is just to find any place that has open spots and is affordable. Making daycare workers get degrees they don't need just makes daycare more expensive and puts experienced workers out of a job.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

DC is the most credentialed city in the U.S. If parents with masters, doctorates, and JDs want to send their kids to a fancy daycare with credentialed workers they would seek that place out. What they really want is a place with loving and experienced workers.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

Hey @jaketapper , the U.S. Supreme Court is the last chance for a Vietnam Veteran to get justice after he was brutally beaten going through security at a VA hospital. VA police should be held accountable when they go too far:

Veteran Beaten by Police in Unprovoked Assault at VA Hospital Appeals Case to U.S. Supreme Court -...

“It was three against one, and they had guns. I knew better than to resist.” 5th Circuit Rules Federal Officers Can’t Be Sued Even If […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

People who have done nothing wrong can lose their money to the government through civil forfeiture. Here's a countdown of the 5 most infuriating @IJ cases I've worked on. #5 is Kermit Warren, a New Orleans man, deacon at his 9th Ward church, who worked hard to save money.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

Anthony thought it would be fun to parody his local police department on Facebook. Most people found it funny, the police arrested him and charged him w/ a FELONY! @IJ is taking on this important #FirstAmendment case:

Facebook Jokester hit with a FELONY for Police Parody - Onion Amicus

If the First Amendment means anything, it surely means that an individual can mock the government without fear of being arrested. But that’s exactly what hap...

www.youtube.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

On Monday, #SCOTUS will hear a case about James King's suit to hold the officers who viciously beat him responsible. Those officers were members of a federal-state task force, complicating his fight for justice w/ @IJ . Read more in @Forbes today:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 months

@scottlincicome Classic case of "there's no way you actually believe this." By this definition, freeing slaves would come at the expense of the "unfreedom" of masters to own people. That would literally be "slavery is freedom."

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

@ARLnowDOTcom @Wendys "Sir, this is a Wendy's."

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

Release on this @IJ case here:

Federal Court Upholds Onerous Education Requirements for D.C. Day Care Workers - Institute for...

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit challenging an Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

Depending on the outcome of a Supreme Court case being heard today a federal agent could get off scot free after assaulting an inn owner and then siccing the IRS on him. Bad precedent could make it near impossible to sue federal agents. New @IJ @Forbes :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

In August 2020, police at the Phoenix airport took $39,500 from Jerry Johnson. They never charged him with a crime but tried to take the money w/ civil forfeiture. This weekend, he got his money back: @IJ

Money Finally Returned to Charlotte Trucking Company Owner After 2020 Seizure at Phoenix Airport ...

ARLINGTON, Va.—Following a two-and-a-half-year legal battle, the $39,500 seized from small business owner Jerry Johnson at the Phoenix, Arizona, airport was finally returned to him […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

10 months

@billybinion Watch footage of the raid and interviews with the family here:

SWAT Team Destroyed Innocent Family's Home, Refused to Pay for Repairs

Amy Hadley watched in horror as her home was raided by police and destroyed in South Bend, Indiana, in June 2022. Over a year later, her family is still trau...

www.youtube.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 month

At her deposition, an FBI agent described her reaction when she learned that the agency had misplaced dozens of valuable gold coins: “Uh oh.” Now, the owner of those coins is finally being compensated after years fighting in court. A 🧵 on the fight for missing property.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

9 months

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Louisiana man who was arrested for making a joke about COVID and zombies on Facebook wins $205,000 from jury. @IJ helped clear the way for this victory with a successful appeal. Release here:

Jury Awards Waylon Bailey $205,000 Over Unconstitutional Arrest for His Facebook Joke - Institute...

ALEXANDRIA, La.—Last week, a jury determined that Waylon Bailey’s constitutional rights had been violated and ordered the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office to pay $205,000 in […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

6 months

@TXAG You asked the Supreme Court to kill the lawsuit of a Texas rancher who lost his cattle because of the state's action. Now the Supreme Court has revived that lawsuit against your wishes. The rancher will likely get paid. That is not what you wanted.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

A Seattle couple's simple renovation project turns into a nightmare when the city demands they pay an extra $11,000 to get permits. Find out why in my latest @Forbes article for @IJ :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

@tahmanbradley Half the forfeitures by Chicago PD were less than $700. Focusing cops on forfeiture may actually decrease the rate at which they clear violent and property crimes. From @chicagotribune oped by @IJ :

Op-ed: Mayor Lightfoot’s civil forfeiture proposal encourages policing for profit, not reducing...

Good intentions do not always make good policy. And although Mayor Lori Lightfoot is undoubtedly sincere in her wish to combat gun violence, her latest proposal would expand the use of a law enforc…

www.chicagotribune.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

Because of a civil forfeiture, innocent Americans lose their property to law enforcement without ever being charged with a crime. But now sweeping reform is starting to move in Congress. @IJ in @Forbes :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

We got in to see the pandas today at the @NationalZoo . It was lunchtime.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

The FBI has Linda Martin's savings. She hasn't been charged with a crime. Now she's suing. She'll tell her story this morning at a press conference near FBI HQ:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

@cafreiman @EricBoehm87 This will never stop being both horrifying and hilarious at the same time. My mother-in-law’s family fled the East just months before the wall went up.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

5 months

For a high school art class, their big project turned into a big controversy when a code enforcer told the local bakery to take down the mural they had spent months working on. Now their town is doubling down on playing art critic. 🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 months

WATCH THIS NOW. For years, @IJ has been defending civil forfeiture victims who had their savings seized at airports. Now, we have extensive footage of the unconstitutional tactics DEA agents use to search bags:

DEA Caught Red-Handed: Airport Intimidation

At airports across the U.S., Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents confront flyers as they are boarding flights and ask to search carry-on items. Thes...

www.youtube.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

9 months

@AGaVoter1 @IJ All of the named plaintiffs in the suit got their box contents back in 2021, but only after a court order. There are some forfeiture cases still going but they are not represented by IJ.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

9 months

@SickosCommittee Need to bevel that classic logo from the 89 year old fan’s jacket.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 months

Justice Gorsuch this term wrote a lengthy concurrence concerned about the "booming business" of civil forfeiture. The profit motive inherent in the practice fuels violations of constitutional rights, notably at our nation's airports. One shakedown was captured on camera. 🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

Police wrecked an innocent woman's house, shattering windows, blowing up the garage door, and battering down the door with an armored vehicle. The town's insurance agent laughed when she asked for help w/ repairs. New in @Forbes :

Police Wrecked An Innocent Woman’s Home And Left Her With The Repair Bill

Police tore apart Vicki Baker's home trying to arrest a criminal who had holed up inside of it. She was innocent, but the town refused to pay anything for the tens of thousands of dollars in damage...

www.forbes.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

The Arizona Legislature overwhelmingly approved a bill that would legalize vendors' use of home kitchens to cook tamales and other foods. California and Utah already allow this and there have been no discernable health problems:

Arizona Legislature Passes Bill to Free Home-based Food Producers - Institute for Justice

PHOENIX—Today, the Arizona House of Representatives voted 45 to 11 in support of legislation, HB 2509, to expand the foods that home-based entrepreneurs are allowed […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

You have to watch this story. @IJ has been representing innocent passengers who had their money taken at airports for years, but we've never really been able to see the agents at work shaking down flyers. Incredible work from @BrendanKeefe .

Brendan Keefe - Atlanta News First

@BrendanKeefe

1 year

Warrantless searches of carry-on bags at airport gates. The DEA is making few arrests, but they're seizing millions of dollars by arresting the money instead of passengers. Simply flying ATL to LAX is deemed suspicious. The full story in link @ATLNewsFirst

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

9 months

More on this case here:

US Private Vaults Seizure - Institute for Justice

FBI agents broke into hundreds of private security deposit box without warrants. Holding government officials accountable for violating Fourth Amendment rights is crucial to ensure similar abuses...

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

8 months

🚨Warning, driving on I-80 in Nebraska is perilous for people carrying cash. A single county was responsible for 1/3 of civil forfeitures statewide and, worse, they use pressure tactics to get people to sign over money on the spot. More in @Forbes :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

This might be the worst veto of any state governor this year: Katie Hobbs stood in the way of legalizing Arizonans who sell home-cooked foods like tamales. Californians have more food freedom than Arizonans:

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Free Home-Based Food Producers - Institute for Justice

PHOENIX—Today, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed bipartisan legislation, HB 2509, to expand the foods that home-based entrepreneurs are allowed to sell. The bill, which passed […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

Good news for your weekend: after suing DEA and TSA, Stacy Jones will get back the $43K in cash wrongfully seized from her at the airport: @IJ #EndForfeiture

Tampa Woman Will Finally Get Her $43,167 Back from the Federal Government - Institute for Justice

TAMPA, Fla.—Stacy Jones’s $43,167 will be returned to her after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wrongfully seized it as she was flying home to Tampa […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

The AZ Appeals Court just cleared the way for @IJ client Jerry Johnson to defend his $39K from #civilforfeiture . He's never been charged w/ a crime but a judge shockingly said Jerry couldn't fight for the money in court because it wasn't his money.

Arizona Appeals Court Lets Charlotte Trucking Company Owner Fight for $39,500 Seized From Him at...

PHOENIX—Today, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that Jerry Johnson may contest the civil forfeiture of his $39,500, seized from him at the Phoenix Sky […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

8 months

NO ONE SHOULD LOSE THEIR PROPERTY UNLESS THEY’VE BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME! #endcivilforfeiture

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

9 months

Justice for Waylon Bailey! He was arrested because his local sheriff's office didn't like the joke he made on Facebook. Now, that office owes him $205,000 for violating his constitutional rights:

RPSO ordered to pay damages to man arrested over Facebook post about COVID-19

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has been ordered to pay $205,000 in compensatory and punitive damages to a Forest Hill man the office arrested concerning a Facebook post made back in 2020.

www.kalb.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

Waylon Bailey won his free speech case today! A unanimous decision found today that "The #FirstAmendment ’s protections apply to jokes, parodies, satire, and the like."

Louisiana Man Arrested for Making a Joke About COVID-19 and Zombies Wins Appeal - Institute for...

NEW ORLEANS—During the COVID-19 pandemic Waylon Bailey made a joke about the virus, zombies, and his local sheriff’s department on Facebook. Today, the 5th U.S. […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

If the government seizes your property without charging you with a crime and then loses some of it, it owes you, right? @IJ clients are having to sue the FBI to get back coins and cash lost after a bogus raid on their safe deposit boxes:

FBI sued after allegedly losing hundreds of thousands in rare coins during raid

Don Mellein and Jeni Pearsons are suing the government alleging the FBI seized, then lost their property through the "shady" process of civil forfeiture.

www.foxnews.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

New appeal to #SCOTUS from @IJ today. Florida fined Heather for giving diet advice, the same work she had done in California for years. Her speech should be protected by the #FirstAmendment . Release with link to the cert petition here:

Health Coach Threatened with Jail and Fines for Offering Dietary Advice Asks U.S. Supreme Court to...

ARLINGTON, Va.—Is talking with other adults about what to buy at the grocery store a crime that can be punished with jail time? Or does […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

Oh man, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals likened civil forfeiture to 18th century French tax farming! Historic burn:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

11 months

In Tennessee, game wardens will now be required to wear body cameras. That's a win for accountability that @IJ 's lawsuit on behalf of two property owners fighting against warrantless searches contributed to:

A Win for Accountability in Tennessee - Institute for Justice

As the Institute for Justice has learned, game wardens in some parts of the country do not have a great deal of respect for private […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

This is Dipendra, an immigrant entrepreneur who wanted to start a home health care business that would serve the needs of Nepali-speaking refugees in Louisville. He has never been able to start that business because of KY's certificate of need (CON) requirements.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

Justice Gorsuch talks about three stories of Americans caught up in legal fights over absurd rules in his @NYTimes interview. Two of the three are @IJ cases. The Louisiana monks: The Texas braiders:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

7 months

Arizona governor just signed the food freedom bill! Arizonans can now prepare and sell tamales and other meals made at home. Congrats to all the cottage foods activists who worked hard to make this happen.

Arizona Gov. Hobbs signed 44 bills on Friday. Here are 3 that stand out

The governor signed 44 bills into law. Pluto will be the new 'state planet' and racist property deeds can be erased

www.12news.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

It's March 2015, there's civil war in Libya, The Jinx is hot on HBO, Trump has yet to descend the escalator. Also, @IJ submits a #FOIA request for the IRS's forfeiture database. 7 years later, that request is finally fulfilled:

Seven-Year FOIA Battle Ends with IRS Handing Over Records - Institute for Justice

WASHINGTON—The Institute for Justice’s (IJ) seven-year fight for IRS forfeiture records has finally ended after the IRS turned over significant amounts of data. The close […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

"Build big or don't build at all." It's what some towns demand of people looking to put up a new #home . It's also making home-buying out-of-reach for some Americans. New @IJ @Forbes article on #housingaffordability : /1

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

Josh Highlander used to have a camera on this pole. It stood in the middle of the field just yards from his home in Virginia. But game wardens came and swiped his camera, without notice or a warrant. Now, he's fighting for his privacy and property w/ @IJ .

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

How massive is federal forfeiture? Well, the feds just signed over $6 billion in contracts to manage and "increase the capacity" of forfeiture investigations. The not-so-dirty secret is that many of these billions claimed by the feds are from people not charged w/ a crime.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

7 months

"No trespassing" signs should apply to the government too. But the open fields rule lets government officers come onto private property any time and for any reason. Tom Manuel is trying to change that in Louisiana. New @IJ case in @Forbes :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

6 months

No, Texas did not win at the Supreme Court today. Richie Devillier won. Statement from @IJ ’s Bob McNamara:

No, Texas Did Not Win at the U.S. Supreme Court Today - Institute for Justice

ARLINGTON, Va.—This afternoon, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claimed that he won a unanimous decision at the United States Supreme Court in a case concerning […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

South Carolina law enforcement does an annual search-and-seizure blitz called Rolling Thunder. Officers hold a press conference to show off their seizures, but they don't really want the public to know what they are up to. @IJ had to sue to get the records. 🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

11 months

The head of a teachers' union in New Hampshire sued to take down a #schoolchoice program. @IJ stepped up to defend families and yesterday a judge threw out the suit:

Court Sides with Families and Dismisses Challenge to New Hampshire Education Freedom Accounts -...

CONCORD, N.H.—Today, the Merrimack Superior Court ruled against a legal challenge to New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account (EFA) Program, siding with the state and parents […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 month

Today, @IJ announced that our clients who sued the government over property that went missing in an unconstitutional raid on their safe deposit boxes are being compensated. Release:

FBI Pays to Replace Valuable Property Missing After Unconstitutional Raid - Institute for Justice

LOS ANGELES—At her deposition, an FBI agent described her reaction when she learned that the agency had misplaced dozens of valuable gold coins: “Uh oh.” […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

10 months

A federal appeals court did not seem very happy with the government for how the FBI went about cracking open security deposit boxes and trying to forfeit more than $86 million in cash from people not charged with a crime. New in @IJ @Forbes :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

This one stings: . What happened to Anthony was absurd and wrong. There should be real consequences when police just make up reasons to arrest people who criticize them.

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal of Man Arrested for Facebook Police Parody - Institute for Justice

WASHINGTON—Anthony Novak was arrested and prosecuted for making fun of his local police department with a parody Facebook page. He was acquitted by a jury […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 months

BIG NEWS 🚨 Tennessee will not appeal the victory of property owners over warrantless searches that used hidden cameras. Tennessee is now one of 7 states that rejects the "open fields" doctrine that lets government trespass on land:

Property Owners Cement Victory Against Warrantless Searches and Hidden Cameras as State Declines to...

ARLINGTON, Va.—After Terry Rainwaters and Hunter Hollingsworth found hidden cameras on their property, they sued the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for violating their rights […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

Three years ago I wrote in @Forbes about Councilwoman Sylvia Gonzalez, who was arrested after she spoke out against the mayor and city manager of Castle Hills, Texas. #SCOTUS just decided to hear her #FirstAmendment case:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 months

Flyers all over the country are harassed into having their bags searched. And when DEA agents see large amounts of cash, they seize it without alleging any real crimes. Now, we have extensive footage of an agent at work. You should watch this:

DEA Caught Red-Handed: Airport Intimidation

At airports across the U.S., Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents confront flyers as they are boarding flights and ask to search carry-on items. Thes...

www.youtube.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 month

Police are deploying increasingly smart and pervasive camera systems. Here is how one city's system tested the limits of the U.S. Constitution. 🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

A #Florida woman received a $100,000 fine for a parking violation. Americans are supposed to be protected from excessive fines by the Constitution, but it's not really clear when fines become excessive. My latest in @Forbes :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

We just won the first @IJ case I helped launch. The town of Gibraltar, Wisconsin (controlled by restaurant owners) shut down a food truck after they had done everything right to open up. A great decision blowing up protectionism:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

@janecoaston Did she use her father's old invisibility cloak to sneak into the restricted books section?

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

6 years

If you want to know how well it went for @IJ at the Supreme Court today, look no further than the @AP report: "The Supreme Court left little doubt Wednesday that it would rule that the Constitution’s ban on excessive fines applies to the states..."

High court likely to say states can't levy excessive fines

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court left little doubt Wednesday that it would rule that the Constitution's ban on excessive fines applies to the states, an outcome that could help an Indiana man...

apnews.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

James King, ⁦ @pjaicomo ⁩, and the rest of the @IJ team are ready for their remote #SCOTUS argument coming up at 11 am EST.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

10 months

A St. Louis suburb declared businesses "blighted" to clear the way for eminent domain and new development. But the businesses are well-maintained, thriving enterprises and @IJ is going to defend them from the bulldozers. Front page news in the @stltoday :

Brentwood businesses sue to block blight designation

The nonprofit Institute for Justice, which handled a landmark Supreme Court eminent domain case, filed suit on behalf of the business owners.

www.stltoday.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

Good morning, especially to @IJ 's clients in Tennessee who today don't have to worry about government agents hiding on their property and setting up cameras without warrants:

Judges strike down Tennessee law allowing warrantless searches by state wildlife officials •...

The longstanding practice of conducting warrantless searches on private property by officers with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is unconstitutional, a three judge panel hearing a case in...

tennesseelookout.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 months

@IJ defended Kermit and got all of his money back. He got the truck he wanted and uses it for his business. You can hear him talk about his case here:

All he wanted was a tow truck. Instead, he went to war with the DEA.

Airport cash seizures hit passengers nationwide.

www.atlantanewsfirst.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

27 days

The @netflix movie Rebel Ridge is a hit, holding the #1 spot for movie streaming 2 weeks in a row. It's depiction of how civil forfeiture works is also shockingly real. I wrote about some of the true stories for @Forbes :

The Real Stories Behind Netflix Hit Rebel Ridge

A streaming movie about a man who takes on small town corruption has roots in real life. The legal nightmare of civil forfeiture isn't fiction for some Americans.

www.forbes.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 month

Crazy development in @IJ 's case in Oklahoma. The city of Okay says it doesn't have to respect an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision directing the water authority to pay for damaging Melisa's property. But the city just added a surcharge to water bills to pay its attorneys rather

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

If you are arrested, you get an early opportunity for a judge to determine whether to hold you in jail before trial. But with #CivilForfeiture property owners aren't always given the chance to get their cash or car back right away. Now the #SupremeCourt will consider the issue.🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

7 months

It's dangerous to give government power to private groups. They will inevitably abuse that power. Captain Hight cannot get his license because the Coast Guard defers to a corrupt association. 10 states just supported Hight's @IJ lawsuit:

Ten States Join Battle Against US Coast Guard’s Unconstitutional Delegation of Government Power -...

WASHINGTON—Ten states recently weighed anchor and joined the fleet to stop the U.S. Coast Guard from giving its power to a self-interested private association. The […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

Great news! @IJ client Azael Sepulveda will get to open his mechanic shop after he notched an early court victory! The city is demanding that he build 28 parking spaces even though he is a 1-man shop. You can read more about his case here:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

7 months

BREAKING: @IJ announces new lawsuit over warrantless searches of private property. Tom Manuel had Louisiana wildlife officers come onto his land without permission 2x in December. The state constitution explicitly protects property and land is property:

New Lawsuit Challenges Warrantless Searches of Louisiana Land - Institute for Justice

BATON ROUGE, La.—A new lawsuit from a Louisiana forester asks a question with a seemingly obvious answer: Is land property? Tom Manuel owns land that […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

5 years

In Illinois, a city is trying to evict a family for someone else's crime. @IJ is stepping in to defend them against a senseless policy that punishes innocent people:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

If you spend two years in jail because a police officer lied, you really should get your day in court. But right now, it’s almost impossible to hold federal officers accountable no matter how badly they violate rights:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

All wrapped up at #SCOTUS for Carson v. Makin, the Maine #schoolchoice case. @IJ Attorney Michael Bindas and the Carsons are feeling confident.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

9 months

Spartanburg County, SC Sheriff brags every year about "Operation Rolling Thunder," in which hundreds of people traveling the highway are pulled over. But they refuse to provide details about why people are stopped. Now @IJ is suing under the #FOIA law:

Lawsuit Seeks Records for Operation Rolling Thunder in Spartanburg County, South Carolina -...

ARLINGTON, Va.—A lawsuit filed late yesterday against Spartanburg County and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office seeks to compel public access to records related to an […]

ij.org

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

Thanks to Seattle's affordable housing law, a couple looking to renovate their 100yo home have to pay $11,000 before they can get their permits. I wrote about this in @Forbes today and here's a little more detail on what is going on here: 1/

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

North Dakota freed home chefs to sell their foods like the soups Danielle makes in her kitchen. Despite concerns, new evidence shows that homemade food sales are safe: no confirmed illnesses in the 7 states with food freedom laws. 🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

The FBI took Linda's savings and sent her a notice that didn't clearly say what it thought she did wrong. Maybe she traded with North Korea? Maybe she infringed on a copyright? Federal civil forfeiture is unjust and un-American 🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

The FBI took $40,200 that Linda Martin saved for a home. She's never been charged w/ a crime. Two years on, she is trapped in the maze of federal forfeiture. More in @Forbes :

The FBI Took Her Life Savings But Won’t Say What She Did Wrong

Civil forfeiture lets law enforcement take and keep money without convicting or even charging someone with a crime. A Los Angeles woman is now fighting to get her life savings back from the FBI and...

www.forbes.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 year

Have you seen Aubrey Plaza's "Wood Milk" ad? It's meant to mock plant-based milks. But instead of laughing, many fans have vowed to keep drinking their almond milk. What you might not know is that small dairy farmers have to pay for these ads, whether they like it or not.🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

4 years

On a cold December day in 2018 in front of Independence Hall, @IJ announced a lawsuit on behalf of two women unfairly denied cosmetology licenses. Today, the PA Commonwealth Court ruled in their favor:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

Using #CivilForfeiture , law enforcement can take property w/o charging someone with a crime and spend the proceeds on itself. But no one should lose their cash, car, or home if the government can't clearly say what they did wrong. New @IJ @Forbes column:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

@senatorshoshana One favorite genres of Instagram photos: influencers hanging out at toxic/dangerous sites because of pretty colors. Hey, the sulfur may kill you, but at least you got some likes.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

8 months

Theslet Benoir and Clemene Bastien thought they had done everything right to open this food truck. But one town councilman with an axe to grind shut them down and put them at risk of criminal charges. 🧵

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

7 months

Just two hours until @IJ ’s case on behalf of Sylvia Gonzalez is heard. Listen here:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

After almost a year, federal prosecutors finally recognize that Kermit Warren did nothing wrong and will return the life savings taken from him by DEA. Read more @cnn :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

Today, @IJ filed a lawsuit against Brookside, Alabama; a little town that ticketed, harassed, and towed thousands of drivers with relish. Read @JohnArchibald ’s story on @ALcomBirmingham . Then click on his name and read all the stories. Infuriating:

National group sues Brookside over its ‘criminal-justice system for profit’

“Brookside police officers regularly refuse to look at drivers’ proof-of-insurance documentation and then order the drivers’ vehicles towed for lack of insurance.”

www.al.com

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

In Brookside, Alabama, the police pulled over drivers for anything they could (and probably just made up violations). Revenue in the tiny town spiked 600%. Unconstitutional stops are potentially lucrative and there are few downsides. More in @Forbes :

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

1 month

Congress needs to act by stopping law enforcement from keeping forfeiture proceeds in their own accounts. If they are going to take money on behalf of the American people, it should go into the general fund, not a slush fund.

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

3 years

California's inmate firefighters deserve the opportunity to apply for full-time firefighting jobs after they've paid their debt to society. @IJ made the case yesterday at the 9th Circuit Appeals Court. @tori_apodaca spoke with Dario Gurrola:

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Andrew Wimer

@andrewwimer

2 years

"It's not surprising to learn that when you give government officials unlimited power to surveil private land that they'll not just walk around – they'll put up cameras." @IJ attorney Josh Windham on the battle against the "open fields" doctrine.

U.S. landowners in privacy fight with govt surveillance cameras | Context

Tennessee, Pennsylvania lawsuits highlight 'open fields' powers allowing law enforcement agents to access private property without a warrant – and leave cameras

www.context.news

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