What legal principle allows the government to acquire private land for public use?

The legal principle that allows the government to acquire private land for public use is known as eminent domain. This concept is rooted in the public necessity for land to be utilized for projects that benefit the community, such as infrastructure developments, parks, and public buildings. Under eminent domain, the government has the authority to take private property, but it is required to provide just compensation to the property owner.

In contrast, escheat refers to the reversion of property to the state when an owner dies without heirs. Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a person to claim ownership of land under certain conditions after occupying it for a specified period without the permission of the original owner. Foreclosure is the legal process through which a lender takes possession of a property due to the borrower’s failure to make mortgage payments. Each of these concepts serves a different purpose and does not apply to the government’s ability to take private property for public use, which is specifically defined within eminent domain.