A majority of the Supreme Court appeared inclined on Monday to uphold a series of local ordinances that allowed a small Oregon city to ban homeless people from sleeping or camping in public spaces.
The justices seemed split along ideological lines in the case, which has sweeping implications for how the country deals with a growing homelessness crisis.
In a lengthy and, at times, fiery argument that lasted over two and a half hours, questioning from the justices reflected the complexity of the homelessness debate.
They wrestled with what lines could be drawn to regulate homelessness — and, crucially, who should make those rules.
The conservative majority appeared sympathetic to arguments by the city of Grants Pass, Ore., that homelessness is a complicated issue best handled by local lawmakers and communities, not judges.
Locations:
Oregon, Grants