Federal Appeals Court Prohibits Arresting Homeless People For Sleeping In Public When Shelter Beds Are Insufficient

A federal appeals court panel ruled that arresting homeless people for sleeping in public when there are insufficient shelter beds violates the 8th Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment. The court ruled that local governments cannot criminalize homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, if the local government fails to provide adequate shelter capacity. The ruling applies to all areas covered by the 9th Circuit, which is based in San Francisco and includes the western portion of the country, including California, Arizona, and Washington. The panel sent the case back to the local district court, and ordered the district . . .