In a surprising turn of events, a case against a 77-year-old homeless man named Wickey Two Hands, who was the first person to be charged under Fresno’s anti-camping ban, was dismissed by a judge at the Fresno Superior Court on April 10, 2025. This decision raised questions about the effectiveness of arresting homeless individuals and enforcing camping bans in California.
The case was being closely monitored by homelessness advocates, public defenders, and legal experts, as cities across California have been implementing stricter policies against public camping following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. However, the dismissal of Two Hands’ case brought attention to the amount of time, resources, and effort being wasted on enforcing these policies, as well as the possibility of offering housing solutions instead of arrest.
Law professor Ron Hochbaum from the University of the Pacific criticized the wasted hours and money spent on prosecuting Two Hands, suggesting that providing housing would be a more effective solution. Some attorneys and homeless individuals are eager to challenge these policies in court to demonstrate their flaws and clear their names.
The dismissal of Two Hands’ case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding homelessness, camping bans, and law enforcement in California. This development comes at a time when cities are grappling with how to address homelessness and affordable housing issues in the state.\Events are being organized to discuss these pressing issues and seek solutions to the challenges faced by Californians experiencing homelessness.
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