What is the difference between direct condemnation and inverse condemnation?

The difference between direct condemnation and inverse condemnation in California is the process by which the government takes private property. In direct condemnation, the government must first offer fair compensation to the owner of the property before they can take it. This process is often used when the government needs to acquire private property for public use, such as for building a road or a school. In inverse condemnation, the government does not have to offer compensation before taking private property. This form of taking is generally used when the private property is taken for a public purpose but the owner of the property is not notified first. An example of inverse condemnation is when a government wants to acquire land to build a highway and the owner of the land was not notified in advance. Both forms of taking are subject to the same general legal standards and the same criteria for determining “just compensation.” In either case, the government must provide just compensation for the value of the private property taken, including lost profits and relocation costs. In California, direct condemnation is the preferred method for taking private property and is usually the only way the government is allowed to take private property for public projects. Inverse condemnation is a last resort and typically only used when direct condemnation is impossible or impractical.

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