Eminent domain is

• A. the process whereby a citizen claims title to public land.
• B. exercisable by the government only if the land owner agrees.
• C. the power of the government or a quasi-public agency to take private property for a public use upon payment of just compensation.
• D. the ability of a public agency to take private land with no compensation paid.

Answer: (C)

Eminent domain is the power of the government or a quasi-public agency to take private property for a public use, with payment of just compensation. This means the government can condemn land needed for projects like roads, schools, or utilities, and the owner must be paid fair market value for the loss. The owner is not required to consent—the process proceeds through legal steps to determine and provide just compensation. The other statements misstate the concept: taking title by a private citizen, needing the owner's agreement, or taking land with no compensation would violate the established rights and due process involved in eminent domain. In practice, title and escrow considerations arise when eminent domain actions affect a property’ s ownership or transfer timing, reflecting the need to resolve the compensation and possession before closing.