Supreme Court Declines to Hear Boise Case on Prosecution for Homeless Camping

The Supreme Court declined on Monday morning to hear an appeal brought by the city of Boise over a decision by the 9th Circuit that struck down a law against homeless camping. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that Boise’s law amounted to cruel and unusual punishment because the city does not have enough beds to serve its homeless population. Los Angeles City Attorney Michael Feuer had urged the Supreme Court to hear the case in order to provide clarity to city officials. Feuer believes that the 9th Circuit’s ruling leaves a grey area for law enforcement when a homeless resident refuses to move off of the street and into a shelter when a bed is available. Because the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, the 9th Circuit’s ruling will stand. Read more.