Oklahoma Condemnation Lawyer
In the United States, our founding fathers put great importance on the rights of individuals to own private property. The right to own property is one of our most sacred liberties. However, our founding fathers also preserved the age-old government power to take property for public projects.
At the Ritchie-Roberts Law Firm, we have been actively engaged in the practice of eminent domain law in Oklahoma for two decades. We primarily represent landowners in these cases. However, we have represented condemners such as cities and counties. Knowing eminent domain from both sides has given us experience and insight that is invaluable in these cases. Representing businesses and landowners, we will make sure you receive just compensation based on the highest and best use of your land or business property.
The Experience and Resources You Need
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The terms eminent domain and condemnation go hand in hand. The term "eminent domain" refers to the power of the government to take private property from individuals or business owners. The term "condemnation" refers to the exercise of the government seizing that land. This power has been given by our government to other entities including power companies, pipeline companies and railroads.
If the government, power company or other condemner wants to seize your property in the name of eminent domain, they have to fully compensate you for the highest and best use value of your property and for the damages that result to your remaining property, as well as for other damages that result from the taking. You can challenge the government's right to take your land under two grounds: 1) That the project is not one that qualifies for the power to condemn, or 2) that the taking is excessive to what is needed. In most eminent domain cases, our goal is to help landowners get full and fair compensation for the land that has been taken and the damage that has been caused.
We handle a wide range of eminent domain cases across Oklahoma, including:
- Represent businesses when a highway, power line, pipeline or other project will take the entire business or take away parking or have some adverse impact on the business' ability to operate. The government or condemner often tries to take the position that they just need to pay for the land, without considering the damage to the business.
- Represent homeowners who lose their home or when the value of their home is being damaged. In such cases the homeowner should be paid for their home and land taken, as well as the costs of relocation. Both state eminent domain law and federal relocation law applies in these claims.
- Represent landowners when a pipeline, power line, bridge, highway or other project impacts development property, farm or ranching land and operations.
- Represent landowners in inverse condemnation cases. Drainage problems, street closings or even government regulations that negatively effect the use and value of a landowner's property or business operation can result in a government taking for which the landowner must be paid damages.
The Federal Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution each have provisions designed to protect private property and limit the government's power to condemn land from its citizens. These provisions provide for due process, so there is a legal process which allows landowners to protect their rights. They also ensure condemnation compensation for all losses.
Learn more about the eminent domain process and eminent domain compensation.
Contact Us
With almost two decades of experience as an eminent domain lawyer serving Oklahoma landowners, the Ritchie-Roberts Law Firm will make sure you get fair compensation for your losses. Located just thirty minutes from Tulsa in Pryor, our firm represents clients across Oklahoma. Call us toll free at 877-470-5134 or contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation.
