A 2009 law that banned sleeping in public spaces has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court.
In a decision with far-reaching consequences, a federal appeals court ruled this week that cities can't prosecute homeless people for sleeping on streets, according to an article by Rebecca Boone.
Boone reports that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of six homeless people, who sued Boise, Idaho after the city approved an ordinance in 2009 that banned sleeping in public spaces. The law violates the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, according to the court.
The article includes more details about how and why Boise passed the law what the ruling means for Boise and other cities with similar laws.
Read the full story: It’s cruel and unusual for Boise to ban sleeping on the streets, appeals court rules
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