No. 95-1595October Term 1995Decided Sep 5, 1996
Babbitt v. Youpee
In an effort to reduce fractionated ownership of Indian lands, Congress amended Section 207 of the Indian Land Consolidation Act to restrict how fractional land interests could be inherited.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Sep 5, 1996
- What it's about
In an effort to reduce fractionated ownership of Indian lands, Congress amended Section 207 of the Indian Land Consolidation Act to restrict how fractional land interests could be inherited. The Supreme Court ruled that this provision violates the Fifth Amendment's Just Compensation Clause because it severely restricts an individual's right to pass on their property to their heirs.
Question presented
Does amended Section 207 of the Indian Land Consolidation Act violate the Fifth Amendment's Just Compensation Clause?
- Case path
Decision released Sep 5, 1996
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided September 5, 1996
The Court released its decision on September 5, 1996 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Opinions
Ginsburg, Stevens
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology