Grand Chute v. Winegar was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1872. The case involved a dispute between the Town of Grand Chute, Wisconsin and the Winegar family over the ownership of a piece of land. The Winegars had purchased the land from the United States government in 1848, but the Town of Grand Chute claimed that the land was part of a larger tract of land that had been granted to the Town in 1836. The Town argued that the Winegars had no right to the land, and that the Town was the rightful owner. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Winegars, finding that the Town of Grand Chute had no legal right to the land. The Court held that the Town had failed to prove that the land was part of the larger tract of land that had been granted to the Town in 1836. The Court also held that the Winegars had acquired the land in good faith, and that the Town had no right to interfere with their ownership. The Court also noted that the Town had failed to take any action to assert its claim to the land for over thirty years, and that this inaction had resulted in the Winegars acquiring a valid title to the land.

In the case of Grand Chute v. Winegar, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a Wisconsin statute that allowed for an appeal from a judgment in favor of a municipality was constitutional. The majority opinion held that it was not unconstitutional and affirmed the lower court's decision. However, Justice Field dissented on this issue, arguing that while he agreed with much of what had been said by his colleagues in their opinion, he believed there were certain points which should be considered when determining constitutionality. He argued that since municipalities are creatures of state law and do not have inherent rights or powers under federal law, they must rely upon state laws to protect them against unjust judgments; thus allowing appeals from such judgments is necessary for due process purposes and does not violate any provision within the Constitution itself. Furthermore, Justice Field noted that if states are prevented from providing these protections then citizens will be deprived of their right to seek justice through legal means without fear or prejudice as guaranteed by both federal and state constitutions alike.