Supreme Court to Decide on Legality of Penalizing Homeless for Sleeping in Public
The landmark case challenges ordinances that restrict homeless individuals' use of survival items, with significant implications for national homeless policies.
- Portland lawyer Ed Johnson is set to argue a landmark Supreme Court case that could redefine how cities handle homelessness, focusing on the legality of penalizing homeless individuals for sleeping in public spaces.
- The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, challenges ordinances in Grants Pass, Oregon, that prohibit the use of basic survival items like blankets and cardboard by homeless people, arguing such measures constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
- Critics argue the Ninth Circuit's ruling restricts cities' ability to manage homeless encampments, while supporters see it as essential for protecting the rights of the homeless.
- The Supreme Court's decision could have significant implications for homeless policies nationwide, with many fearing a conservative majority may lean towards allowing cities to criminalize homelessness.
- Legal experts and activists, including Chesa Boudin and other Bay Area lawyers, have filed amicus briefs urging the Supreme Court to uphold the Ninth Circuit's decision, emphasizing the importance of civil rights for homeless individuals.
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