If I don't agree with the condemning authority's offer, who decides how much money I get?
Federal law allows the landowner to demand that a jury determine the amount of compensation to be paid to the owner who loses his or her property through condemnation. However, federal law gives judges the discretion to appoint a commission consisting of three persons to decide just compensation.
If the judge chooses to appoint a commission, he is required to advise the landowner of the identity and the qualifications of each commissioner. The judge typically allows the landowner to question or examine the commissioners to determine if the commissioners have any bias or lacks the ability to be impartial. Additionally, the landowner has the right to object to the selection of any commissioner, and to have commissioners struck for cause if they are unable to be impartial or have a bias. The jury or commission only determines the issue of just compensation, and the judge determines all other matters.
Federal law allows the landowner to demand that a jury determine the amount of compensation to be paid to the owner who loses his or her property through condemnation. However, federal law gives judges the discretion to appoint a commission consisting of three persons to decide just compensation.
If the judge chooses to appoint a commission, he is required to advise the landowner of the identity and the qualifications of each commissioner. The judge typically allows the landowner to question or examine the commissioners to determine if the commissioners have any bias or lacks the ability to be impartial. Additionally, the landowner has the right to object to the selection of any commissioner, and to have commissioners struck for cause if they are unable to be impartial or have a bias. The jury or commission only determines the issue of just compensation, and the judge determines all other matters.
