The U.S. Supreme Court declined an appeal Monday from the city of Indianapolis defending a 2003 ordinance stipulating the operating hours of adult bookstores.
The law, which has not been enforced since 2009, was originally passed by the City-County Council as a measure to reduce crime.
The ordinance banned businesses that sell adult books, movies and other paraphernalia from operating between midnight and 10 a.m., and also prevented these businesses from operating on Sundays.
The city could now face legal damages for the period of enforcement and for the attorney's fees incurred by bookstores.