Supreme Court rules cities can penalize the homeless for sleeping outdoors

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that cities can penalize the homeless for sleeping outdoors by upholding a law banning homeless encampments.

The 6-3 decision stemmed from the case of Grants Pass v. G. Johnson, after the Oregon town began fining people nearly $300 for sleeping outside. If not paid, that fine would increase to $537.60, and multiple citations could expose the individual to criminal trespass charges—which could lead to a heftier fine and jail time.

"The enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property does not constitute 'cruel and unusual punishment' prohibited by the Eighth Amendment," the Supreme Court said in its decision.

Photo: Paula Bronstein, File/AP

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[stevewilliams]

They already made this a felony in Tennessee a couple of years ago, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Also, if you're a felon, you cannot go to a homeless shelter here. What a system.

[sfperalta]

How to you punish people who have already lost everything? We have to be better than this as a country.

[jogordon]

Absolutely disgusting! Perhaps they take those justices salaries to help these people get housing!

[artieanderson]

If a city can afford to incarcerate a homeless person and feed, clothe, and house him, then why can't a city just fund a way to help a homeless person. Does the city's justice system have a bigger budget than the city's parks and recreation department?

[manuelfierro]

This is the country that stands against oppression in the whole world and leave their people behind... something is terribly wrong... Something has to change

[NizzyHussle]

Only in america would we give billions away to another country instead of using that money to build shelters and create more housing programs 😂

[vanessaschaefer]

Are you offering shelters for them to live in like the government is doing for the millions of illegals?? Why do they get hotels, food, and money when we already have a homeless crisis in this country. Illegals are given more resources than Americans. SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THIS COUNTRY! COME NOVEMBER I HOPE THIS ALL CHANGES FOR THE BETTER OF THIS COUNTRY.

[realityrealestate]

So then your forcing them to break into buildings for shelter ! That's not an intelligent thing to do. You're just making the problem worse.

[doncumins]

Where are the homeless supposed to go. They're not all druggies

[monicagoswami]

Someone help me understand how this solves the problem and what are the preventive measures to help people from becoming homeless? Even if they are put in jail for x amount of time and then released that puts them back in the same situation that got them arrested originally

[Harry-xtev]

Build affordable housing on those worthless golf courses.

[LassieSgr]

How a country treats the poor demonstrates the quality of its people.

[rodgerwoods]

Maybe this administration should help our homeless out more instead of foreign invaders....

[loiscase]

We are not going to legislate the homeless out of existence! Where is your humanity?

[Nothingcanbeaprettycoolh-ctws]

"One of the primary responsibilities of government is to take care of its weakest citizens."
~Mario Cuomo

That we refuse to do this and instead criminalize them is itself, cruel and unusual punishment.

[frankieclayton]

They are making the poor person suffer even more keeping them down

[stevenbennion]

America has more than 600 Billionaire's, they could or can solve this minor issue

[crushin-it]

penalize? what kind of mindless dribble is that? Exactly how do you penalize someone with no money, no home, no food and no dignity left?

[carolynvillanueva]

Yes it violates the 8th because this “societal norm” was established for years now where it’s ok to sleep on the streets. If they can’t afford a roof, how can they afford a ticket?

[GreedoShot]

welcome to america, where it's illegal to be homeless