U.S. Supreme Court to hear case over if homeless people can be cited for camping on public property

(Washington, DC)  --  The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today over whether homeless people can be cited for camping on public property.  

At the center of the case is the Oregon city of Grants Pass, which has been enforcing ordinances that ban camping in city parks and on public property. A lower court ruled that if there are more homeless people than available shelter beds, the city can't fine people for camping outside.  

Opponents argue the rules violate the Eighth Amendment's protections against excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.