Home > Great American Court Cases > United States v. Causby

Legal Citation: 328 U.S. 256 (1946)

Petitioner
United States

Respondent
Causby, et ux.

Petitioner's Claim
That overflights by military airplanes above a private farm do not constitute an appropriation of property.

Chief Lawyer for Petitioner
Walter J. Cummings, Jr.

Chief Lawyer for Respondent
William E. Comer

Justices for the Court
William O. Douglas (writing for the Court), Felix Frankfurter, Frank Murphy, Stanley Forman Reed, Wiley Blount Rutledge

Justices Dissenting
Hugo Lafayette Black, Harold Burton (Robert H. Jackson did not participate, Fred Moore Vinson not yet appointed)

Place
Washington, D.C.

Date of Decision
27 May 1946

Decision
The overflights by military planes were held to render the farm worthless and hence constitute a taking of property...