October Term 2023 · Docket 23-175
Can cities ban sleeping outdoors when no shelter beds exist?
Grants Pass wants to enforce camping bans. Johnson argues the Eighth Amendment forbids punishing homelessness when shelter is unavailable.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Evangelis argued the laws protect public health and safety.
Mr. Kneedler argued the city cannot criminalize the status of being homeless.
Ms. Corkran argued the ordinances inflict status-based punishment in effect and purpose.
Mr. Kneedler conceded that sleeping outside without a place to go defines homelessness.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 17-51 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 17-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 146, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 146, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 147, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 147, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 147, lines 35-15 — Transcript, file page 147, lines 35-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 168, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 168, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-37
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether the Eighth Amendment bars cities from enforcing camping bans against homeless people when no shelter beds are available.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 17-51 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 17-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 168, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 168, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 22, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 19-25
What each side wants
Grants Pass wants to enforce its camping bans to protect public spaces and health.
Johnson wants the court to strike down the bans as unconstitutional status-based punishment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 17-51 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 17-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 168, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 168, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-41
What each side says
Grants Pass argues the laws target specific conduct, not the status of being homeless.
Johnson argues the laws punish the status of homelessness, which is cruel and unusual.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 17-51 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 17-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 168, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 168, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-41
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked what specific conduct is involved in this case.
Justice Thomas asked if the case involves repeat offenders or first-time offenders only.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 146, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 146, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 147, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 147, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 147, lines 35-15 — Transcript, file page 147, lines 35-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-37
Why it matters
This case determines whether cities can ban sleeping outdoors when shelter beds are scarce. It affects public safety and the rights of homeless individuals nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 17-51 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 17-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 168, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 168, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-41
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 146, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 146, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 147, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 147, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 147, lines 35-15 — Transcript, file page 147, lines 35-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-37
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 17-51 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 17-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 168, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 168, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 17-51 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 17-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 168, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 168, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-41
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.