Hadacheck v. Sebastian

Joseph Hadacheck (plaintiff) bought land specifically for its valuable clay deposit and built substantial brickmaking infrastructure there; the land was worth far more used commercially than residentially. After the City of Los Angeles annexed the property, it passed an ordinance banning brickmaking in that district, including on Hadacheck's land. Hadacheck was convicted of violating the ordinance and taken into custody by police chief Charles Sebastian (defendant). He sought habeas corpus from the California Supreme Court, which denied relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court took the case on a writ of error.