Supreme Court Rules ‘Camping Bans’ To Restrict Sleeping On Public Property Do Not Violate The Constitution

On June 27, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that jurisdiction enforcement of laws that restrict homeless individuals from sleeping on public property does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment,” and such enforcement is therefore not prohibited by the Eighth Amendment (which protects against imposing excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishments). Jurisdictions can enforce the laws against sleeping on public property even if the jurisdiction lacks sufficient shelter capacity to house the individuals. The ruling was in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. Its scope is limited to current law in nine western . . .