Supreme Court Weighs Criminal Penalties for Homelessness: Is Punishing Sleeping in Public Unconstitutional? 🏛️

The Supreme Court will debate whether cities can criminally punish homeless people for activities like sleeping in public spaces. This comes as homelessness has increased 12% in recent years, with over 650,000 Americans now unhoused on any given night. The case originated in Grants Pass, Oregon where the city intensified enforcement of anti-camping ordinances against the homeless. It raises questions about what constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment" under the 8th Amendment. Arguments are scheduled for Monday.