Supreme Court Refuses Landmark Homelessness Case

A closely watched court case related to how cities deal with homeless people sleeping in public, Martin v. Boise, will not get hearing with the U.S. Supreme Court.

1 minute read

December 16, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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"The Supreme Court refused Monday to hear a major case on homelessness, letting stand a ruling that protects homeless people’s right to sleep on the sidewalk or in public parks if no other shelter is available," reports David G. Savage.

The case, Martin v. Boise, has been closely scrutinized as it moved through the appeals process and toward a potential Supreme Court hearing. Without chance of an appeal before the Supreme Court, the ruling of a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judge will stand.

"The outcome is a significant victory for homeless activists and a setback for city officials in California and other western states who argued the appeals court ruling undercut their authority to regulate encampments on the sidewalks," according to Savage.

Monday, December 16, 2019 in Los Angeles Times

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