By Kristin Hoffman, Staff Writer In United States v. Miller, a divided Supreme Court struck down mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles.[1] The ruling said that these mandatory sentences violate the constitutional amendment prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment because children lack maturity, have an underdeveloped sense of responsibility, […]
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Retroactivity and Hope for Juvenile Lifers
By Amber McGee, Staff Writer Teenagers and kids alike are impulsive. Their brains have not fully developed, and they are not yet the people of sound character they may grow to become. Decision making is quicker and based on peer pressure. During one’s teenage years, inhibitions are low, and […]
SCOTUS Rules Mandatory Juvenile Sentencing Practice Unconstitutional
By Kyle Steenland, Staff Writer Within our criminal justice system, the mental capacity of the offender, and its role in the commission of a crime, is paramount for the judiciary in arriving at a sentencing verdict that benefits both society and the offender. In a situation where someone lacks […]
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