The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota today. The justices will hear from lawyers affiliated with the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) representing Geraldine Tyler, a 94-year-old grandmother, and lawyers representing the county where she used to own a one-bedroom condominium.
The facts, on the surface, are simple. When Tyler fell behind on paying the real estate taxes on her condo, the county sold it. She owed $15,000 in taxes (including fees, interest and penalties), and the county sold the condo for $40,000 — and kept the balance.