Courthouse Steps Preview: Tyler v. Hennepin County

Geraldine Tyler, a ninety-three-year-old homeowner, owed Hennepin County, Minnesota, nearly $12,700 in delinquent property taxes, plus interest, penalties, and costs. To cover her debt, the County foreclosed on her home and sold it for $40,000. However, the County also kept the surplus $25,000 as profit.Minnesota, along with thirteen other states, authorize various government agencies to satisfy assorted government debts associated with real property by confiscating all title and equity in an owner’s property. Equity means the value in a piece of property beyond the encumbering debt. No one disputes the government’s ability to forfeit property to cover debts but Ms. Tyler argues the county cannot take the equity in her home.Tyler asks the United States Supreme Court to rule Hennepin County’s forfeiture of the equity in her home an unconstitutional taking and excessive fine. However, the County argues that Tyler failed to pay her property taxes for five years, she had time to pay those taxes, and therefore the County was not required to refund Tyler any money from forfeiting her house to pay the property taxes.Nancie Marzulla, who filed an amicus brief with the Atlantic Legal Foundation on behalf of the petitioner’s position, and John Bursch, who filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in Meisner v. Hall asserting the respondent’s position in Tyler joined us to discuss this important case. Featuring: --Nancie Marzulla, Partner, Marzulla Law--John Bursch, Founder, Bursch Law PLLC--Moderator: Tony Francois, Partner, Briscoe Ivester & Bazel