Legal Limitations on Law Enforcement Addressing Homelessness

摘要

Simply put, in the Ninth Circuit, if there is no shelter space available, then a jurisdiction is going to be limited in the types of criminal actions it can take. Regardless of whether the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately grants certiorari in Martin, it would be wise for cities, counties, and law enforcement agencies to work with their legal counsel to find solutions that address the issues surrounding homeless populations that avoid criminalizing the "unavoidable consequences" of being human.