In the pivotal 2005 case of Roper v. Simmons, the Supreme Court rendered a 5-4 decision prohibiting the death penalty for minors. The Court held that capital punishment for individuals who committed crimes before reaching the age of 18 constituted a violation of both the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Justice Kennedy, writing for the majority, named several key factors underpinning the Court's rationale. He first cited a developing national consensus against the practice, evidenced by numerous states enacting legislation to abolish the juvenile death penalty. Furthermore, the Court recognized the ongoing neurological development of adolescents, suggesting that their culpability may be diminished compared to that of adults. Finally, the decision acknowledged the potential for rehabilitation in young offenders, rendering capital punishment an unjustly severe consequence. This landmark ruling engendered a significant transformation in capital punishment jurisprudence, establishing 18 as the minimum age for execution in the United States.

In a pivotal 5-4 decision in the 2005 case of Roper v. Simmons, the Supreme Court declared the death penalty unconstitutional for individuals who commit crimes as minors. Citing the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, and the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law, the Court deemed the execution of individuals under 18 at the time of their crimes unconstitutional.

Justice Kennedy, writing for the majority, identified three key factors influencing the Court's decision. He highlighted the emerging national consensus against the juvenile death penalty, evidenced by numerous states abolishing the practice. Furthermore, the Court acknowledged the significant neurological development occurring during adolescence, implying diminished culpability compared to adults. Finally, the decision emphasized the potential for rehabilitation in young offenders, rendering capital punishment excessively severe. This landmark ruling marked a critical turning point in the application of capital punishment, effectively raising the minimum age for execution to 18 in the United States.

In 2005, the Supreme Court made a really important decision in the case of Roper v. Simmons. They said that it's unconstitutional to execute someone for a crime they committed before turning 18. This 5-4 vote declared that the death penalty for minors violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Writing for the majority, Justice Kennedy explained the Court's reasoning. He pointed out that most states were already moving away from the juvenile death penalty, showing a national agreement against it. He also talked about how teenagers' brains are still developing, suggesting they might not fully understand the consequences of their actions like adults do. Finally, Kennedy emphasized the potential for young people to change their lives, making the death penalty seem way too extreme. This decision was a huge deal, raising the minimum age for execution in the United States to 18.

In 2005, the Supreme Court made a big decision: no more death penalty for kids. They said it was wrong to execute someone for a crime they committed before turning 18 years old. The Court's decision, called Roper v. Simmons, was really close - 5 judges voted yes and 4 voted no.

The judges who voted yes had some important reasons. They noticed that many states had already stopped allowing the death penalty for kids. They also knew that teenagers' brains are still growing and changing, so they might not make the best choices. Plus, they believed that young people have a better chance of changing their lives and shouldn't be punished so harshly. Because of this decision, the youngest someone can be executed in the United States is now 18 years old.