Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Ticketing Homeless People

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that cities cannot ticket homeless people for camping in public when there are no alternative shelters available.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments over a challenge to a law allowing cities to fine homeless people.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that cities cannot ticket homeless people for camping in public when there are no alternative shelters available. However, officials argue the restrictions prevent them from implementing “common sense” laws against camping in certain public places.

Officials also said the law blocks them from addressing growing encampments that are considered “unsafe, unhealthy and problematic.”

The argument of the case centers on the Eighth Amendment. Homeless advocates are arguing that ticketing people without homes qualifies as “cruel and unusual punishment.”

a ruling is expected by late june.