The Virginia Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in Ramsey v. Commissioner of Highways, a case we've been following closely (and in which we filed an amicus brief in support of the property owners).
This is the case about Virginia's statutory requirements in eminent domain cases. As a prerequisite to a court exercising jurisdiction over a condemnation complaint, a state condemning agency must as an initial step present a statement of "the amount which [the condemnor] believes to be just compensation," to the property owner, and must include an appraisal if an appraisal is required.
The trial court viewed the required "statement" as a settlement offer, and prohibited the property owner from both telling the jury about the statement, and cross-examining the state's appraiser about it. Even though the state's initial statement of just compensation was $246,292, and later, its new appraiser at trial testified that just compensation was only $92,127. More about the case here.
A most interesting argument, with very active questioning by the Justices. Our amicus brief mentioned by one of the justices. Worth your time.
Today's Friday, so it's ok if you play this in the background as you look out your office window and dream of the weekend.
