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City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson, et al., on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated
Paid petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, No. 20-35752, 20-35881 · judgment September 28, 2022
Decided · June 28, 2024
Pre-decision estimate: 11% cert probability (95% interval 7%–16%)
Before the decision, about 2.7× the 4.1% base rate. The model weighted this up for a state or local-government petitioner, a Ninth Circuit decision below, and a circuit split argued in the petition.
Question presented
In Martin v. City of Boise, 920 F.3d 584 (9th Cir. 2019), the Ninth Circuit held that the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause prevents cities from enforcing criminal restrictions on public camping unless the person has "access to adequate temporary shelter." Id. at 617 & n.8. In this case, the Ninth Circuit extended Martin to a classwide injunction prohibiting the City of Grants Pass from enforcing its public-camping ordinance even though civil citations. That decision cemented a conflict with the California Supreme Court and the Eleventh Circuit, which have upheld similar ordinances, and entrenched a broader split on the application of the Eighth Amendment to purportedly involuntary conduct. The Ninth Circuit nevertheless denied rehearing en banc by a 14-to-13 vote. The question presented is: Does the enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property constitute "cruel and unusual punishment" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment?
Counsel of record
For petitioner
Theane D. Evangelis
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
For respondent
Kelsi Brown Corkran
Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection
Case
Conference history
Distributed for 3 conferences
Amicus briefs
25 cert-stage · 84 merits
(44 supporting pet./neither, 40 respondent)
Argument & decision
Argued April 22, 2024 — Theane D. Evangelis · Edwin S. Kneedler · Kelsi B. Corkran. Audio and transcript
Decided June 28, 2024. Opinion by Gorsuch.
Proceedings
- Jul 30 2024Judgment Issued.
- Jun 28 2024Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Gorsuch, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh, and Barrett, JJ., joined. Thomas, J., filed a concurring opinion. Sotomayor, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Kagan and Jackson, JJ., joined.
- Apr 22 2024Argued. For petitioner: Theane D. Evangelis, Los Angeles, Cal. For United States, as amicus curiae: Edwin S. Kneedler, Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Kelsi B. Corkran, Washington, D. C.
- Apr 12 2024Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument GRANTED.
- Apr 12 2024Reply of petitioner City of Grants Pass filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 10 2024Record received from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on March 6, 2024. The record is electronic and is available on PACER.
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Oregon Food Bank, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Southern Poverty Law Center, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Criminal Law and Punishment Scholars filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of American Civil Liberties Union and Nineteen Affiliates filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Services Providers filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountability Center filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund et al. filed.
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Juvenile Law Center, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of The Center for Constitutional Rights, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amicus curiae of Fund for Empowerment filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of American Psychiatric Association, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amicus curiae of The National Homelessness Law Center filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of National Women's Shelter Network, Inc, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amicus curiae of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Corporation for Supportive Housing, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of State of Maryland, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Fines and Fees Justice Center, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Matthew Doherty, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Public Health Professionals and Organizations filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of National Alliance to End Homelessness, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of StrongHearts Native Helpline, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of 57 Social Scientists with Published Research on Homelessness filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of The National Police Accountability Project, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Better Days Ahead Outreach Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Professors William P. Quigley, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amicus curiae of Emory Civil Rights Society filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Current U.N. Special Rapporteurs filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amicus curiae of Safety Net Project of the Urban Justice Center filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 03 2024Brief amici curiae of Congressional Amici Curiae filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 02 2024Brief amici curiae of Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 02 2024Brief amicus curiae of Advocates for Empowerment CA filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 02 2024Brief amici curiae of Los Angeles Catholic Worker, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 02 2024Brief amici curiae of Current & Former San Francisco Officials and Civic Organizations filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 02 2024Brief amici curiae of Local Progress Impact Lab, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 02 2024Brief amici curiae of Advocates for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 02 2024Brief amici curiae of Western Regional Advocacy Project filed. (Distributed)
- Apr 01 2024Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument filed.
- Mar 27 2024CIRCULATED
- Mar 27 2024Brief of respondents Gloria Johnson, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Mar 22 2024Brief amicus curiae of National Coalition for Men filed.
- Mar 19 2024Brief amici curiae of Oregon Quakers, et al. filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission filed.
- Mar 04 2024Amicus brief of Thirteen California Cities not accepted for filing (March 6, 2024--brief to be recovered).
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Thirteen California Cities filed (March 11, 2024).
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Professor Michael J.Z. Mannheimer filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of California Governor Gavin Newsom in support of neither party filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Goldwater Institute filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Tiana Tozer, Philip Rhodes, Barbara Jacobsen, Dane Southard, Lorien Ilena Welchoff, Pauline Long, Mark Barnhill, Steve Jackson, Keith Martin and Steven Rebischke filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Central City Association of Los Angeles filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Retail Litigation Center, Inc. and Retail Industry Leaders Association filed.
- Mar 04 2024Amicus brief of League of Oregon Cities et al. not accepted for filing. (March 06, 2024--Corrected verison to be submitted.)
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of League of Oregon Cities et al. (March 11, 2024) filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in support of neither party filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of City of San Clemente filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Brentwood Community Council filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of The Chamber of Commerce of the United State of America, et al. filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco et al. filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of California in support of neither party filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Manhattan Institute, Stephen Eide, and Judge Glock filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of City of Chico filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of San Bernardino County, California filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of United States in support of neither party filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Professor John F. Stinneford filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of LONANG Institute filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Members of Congress filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Pacific Research Institute filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Cicero Institute filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Local Government Legal Center, et al. filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Bay Area Council et al. filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of City of Phoenix, et al. filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of City of Los Angeles in support of neither party filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of Criminal Justice Legal Foundation filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amicus curiae of County of Los Angeles in support of neither party filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of International Downtown Association, et al. filed.
- Mar 04 2024Brief amici curiae of Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Ben Toma, et al. filed.
- Mar 01 2024Brief amici curiae of State of Idaho, Montana, and 22 Other States filed.
- Mar 01 2024Brief amici curiae of California State Association of Counties, et al. filed.
- Mar 01 2024Brief amicus curiae of District Attorney of San Diego County filed.
- Mar 01 2024Brief amici curiae of City and County of San Francisco, et al. in support of neither party filed.
- Mar 01 2024Brief amici curiae of Pacific Legal Foundation, et al. filed.
- Mar 01 2024Brief amicus curiae of District Attorney of Sacramento County filed.
- Feb 29 2024Amicus brief of Venice Stakeholders Association not accepted for filing. (March 05, 2024--Corrected verison to be submitted.)
- Feb 29 2024Brief amicus curiae of Venice Stakeholders Association filed (March 8, 2024).
- Feb 29 2024Amicus brief of California State Sheriffs' Association, et al. not accepted for filing. (March 4, 2024--Corrected efiling to be submitted.)
- Feb 29 2024Brief amici curiae of California State Sheriffs' Association, et al. filed (March 7, 2024).
- Feb 27 2024Brief amici curiae of Professors Peter W. Low and Joel S. Johnson supporting neither party filed.
- Feb 26 2024Brief of petitioner City of Grants Pass filed.
- Feb 26 2024Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
- Feb 26 2024Amicus brief of County of Orange, California not accepted for filing. (March 4, 2024--Corrected verison to be submitted.)
- Feb 26 2024Brief amicus curiae of County of Orange, California filed (March 8, 2024).
- Feb 21 2024Record requested from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- Feb 16 2024SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, April 22, 2024.
- Jan 12 2024Petition GRANTED.
- Jan 08 2024DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/12/2024.
- Dec 20 2023DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/5/2024.
- Dec 20 2023Reply of petitioner City of Grants Pass filed. (Distributed)
- Dec 06 2023Brief of respondents Gloria Johnson, et al. in opposition filed.
- Nov 03 2023Brief amicus curiae of City of Chico filed.
- Oct 12 2023Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including December 6, 2023.
- Oct 10 2023Motion to extend the time to file a response from November 6, 2023 to December 6, 2023, submitted to The Clerk.
- Oct 05 2023Response Requested. (Due November 6, 2023)
- Oct 04 2023DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/27/2023.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of City and County of San Francisco, et al. filed
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of LA Alliance for Human Rights, et al. filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of Idaho, et al. filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, et al. filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amicus curiae of Venice Stakeholders Association filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of City of Phoenix, et al. filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amicus curiae of City of Los Angeles filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amicus curiae of Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of Ten California Cities and The County of Orange filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of Bay Area Council, et al. filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, et al. filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amici curiae of International Municipal Lawyers Association, et al. filed.
- Sep 25 2023Brief amicus curiae of Criminal Justice Legal Foundation filed.
- Sep 22 2023Brief amici curiae of League of Oregon Cities, et al. filed.
- Sep 22 2023Brief amicus curiae of California Governor Gavin Newsom filed.
- Sep 22 2023Brief amicus curiae of Brentwood Community Council filed.
- Sep 21 2023Brief amicus curiae of Pacific Legal Foundation and California Business Properties Association filed.
- Sep 21 2023Brief amicus curiae of Office of San Diego County District Attorney filed.
- Sep 20 2023Waiver of right of respondent Gloria Johnson, et al. to respond filed.
- Sep 20 2023Brief amicus curiae of District Attorney of Sacramento County filed.
- Sep 20 2023Brief amici curiae of Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Ben Toma, et al. filed.
- Sep 20 2023Brief amici curiae of California State Sheriffs' Association, et al. filed.
- Sep 19 2023Brief amici curiae of California State Association of Counties filed.
- Sep 19 2023Brief amicus curiae of Goldwater Institute filed.
- Sep 11 2023Brief amici curiae of Freddy Brown, et al. filed.
- Aug 22 2023Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 25, 2023)