In the case of People v. Hardin (2023), the California Supreme Court reviewed the state's sentencing guidelines concerning life sentences without the possibility of parole (LWOP) for offenders sentenced between the ages of 18 and 25. The case involved Tony Hardin, who received an LWOP sentence for a murder committed at age 25. While California law permits those sentenced to LWOP as juveniles (under 18) a parole hearing after 25 years, this provision excludes individuals like Hardin, sentenced as late adolescents. The California Court of Appeal overturned Hardin's sentence, arguing that the sentencing disparity violated equal protection principles. However, the California Supreme Court reversed this decision, deferring to the legislature's policy-making authority in matters of criminal sentencing.

The California Supreme Court recently heard the case of People v. Hardin, which centered on the sentencing of Tony Hardin. Hardin received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for a murder he committed at 25 years old. While California law generally allows those sentenced to life without parole for crimes committed as minors (under 18) a chance at parole after 25 years, this provision does not extend to "late adolescents" (individuals aged 18-25) like Hardin. The Court of Appeal overturned Hardin's sentence, arguing that the sentencing disparity between these groups violated the Equal Protection Clause. However, the Supreme Court reversed this decision, ultimately deferring to the legislature's authority in establishing sentencing policies.

In People v. Hardin the California Supreme Court looked at the case of Tony Hardin. Hardin was given a life sentence without parole when he was 25 years old for committing murder. California law normally gives people a chance at parole after 25 years, even if they were sentenced to life without parole for a crime they committed when they were young. However, there's an exception to this rule for young adults between 18 and 25 years old who, like Hardin, were sentenced to life without parole. The Court of Appeal thought this exception was unfair, but the Supreme Court disagreed. They decided to respect the legislature's right to make laws about sentencing.

There was a court case in California about a man named Tony Hardin. He had to go to prison for the rest of his life for a murder he committed when he was 25 years old. In California, sometimes younger people who commit crimes and get life sentences can ask to be let out of prison after 25 years. But, the law has a special rule for people like Tony who were a little bit older (between 18 and 25 years old) when they were sentenced. The Court of Appeal thought this rule was unfair, but the California Supreme Court disagreed. They said it was up to the lawmakers to decide these rules, even if they seem a bit different for some people.