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Brief of Current and Former Prosecutors as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that courts must carefully evaluate juvenile confessions, especially when a child has intellectual disabilities, because standard interrogation techniques can lead innocent children to falsely confess.

mental statespolice interrogation techniquesjuvenile confessionsjuvenile false confessionssuggestibilityageminorReid Techniqueself-gratificationperception of timeadolescentsmental disability
(2018)

Brief of The Innocence Network as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that police interrogation tactics can lead innocent people, especially juveniles, to falsely confess. It urges the Court to review cases where involuntary juvenile confessions led to wrongful convictions.

false confessions juvenile confessionsmental disabilitypolice interrogationminorspolice coercionspecial cautionspecial care
(2018)

Brief of National Association for Public Defense and Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Appellee

The brief argues the Eighth Amendment should ban capital punishment for 18-20 year olds. It contends that "evolving standards of decency" and developmental research show this age group is less culpable, similar to past exemptions.

youth aged 18-20death penaltycapital punishmentcruel and unusual punishment
(2018)

Brief of Amici Curiae the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, et al. in Support of the Petition for Rehearing En Banc

This brief argues that sentencing juveniles to life without parole is unconstitutional unless they are deemed "irreparably corrupt." It states the prosecution must prove this to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.

Millerjuvenile sentencingSixth Amendment (U.S.)irreparable corruptionincapable of rehabilitationcategorical protectionmitigating factor
(2018)

Brief of Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality as Amicus Curiae in Support of Raymond Williams

This brief argues that sentencing someone to life without parole for crimes committed as a juvenile is unconstitutional. It states that three-strikes laws should not count juvenile offenses.

GrahamMillerjuvenilemitigating qualities of youthJLWOPculpabilityjudicial discretionEighth Amendment (U.S.)mandatory sentencingjuvenile life without parole
(2018)

Brief of Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues Washington courts must ensure juveniles sentenced as adults have a meaningful opportunity for release. It contends the state constitution bars life-equivalent sentences for juveniles.

meaningful opportunity for releasejuvenile offendersEighth Amendment (U.S.)Millerjuvenile sentencingcruel and unusual punishmentLWOPlife without parolede facto life without paroleresentencinghomicide
(2018)

Brief of Amicus Curiae NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. in Support of Petitioner

The brief argues a judge must find permanent incorrigibility before sentencing a child to life without parole. It claims the Mississippi Supreme Court failed to follow precedent, leading to arbitrary and racially biased sentencing risks.

post-Miller resentencing hearingMillermurderlife without paroleLWOP17-year-oldraceEighth Amendment (U.S.)Montgomerypermanent incorrigibilitybeyond rehabilitationracially discriminatory sentence
(2018)

Brief and Argument of Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner-Appellee

The brief argues that lengthy sentences without a chance for release are unconstitutional for minors. It claims Illinois should follow other states and overturn a 50-year sentence given to a 16-year-old.

sentencing enhancementsEighth Amendment (U.S.)MillerMontgomeryJLWOPjuvenile life without parole
(2018)

Brief of Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that courts must carefully consider a juvenile's age and development during police questioning. It asserts that prior rulings require special care for young people to ensure confessions are voluntary.

involuntary confessionsagechild developmentcoerced confessionsvulnerability to confessionspolice interrogationsjuvenile confessionsdecision-makingcharacteristics of adolescent developmenttendency to comply with authoritylong-term planningimmature judgmentfalse confessionsbrain developmentbrain systemsexecutive functioning
(2018)

Brief of Amici Curiae Juvenile Law Center and Forty Other Organizations in Support of Petitioners

The brief argues that the Eighth Amendment's protection against excessive fines should apply to states. This would protect both adults and children in the justice system from disproportionate monetary penalties.

juvenile justice finesEighth Amendment (U.S.)excessive finesracial disparityeconomic disparityincreased recidivismincreased likelihood of reoffendingyouth vulnerability
(2018)

Brief of Amici Curiae Judges, Current and Former Prosecutors, Law Enforcement Officers, Juvenile Justice Officials, Correctional Officers, and Probation Officers in Support of Petitioner

The brief argues that juvenile offenders' sentences must account for their capacity for reform, as required by the Eighth Amendment. It contends that a very long sentence for a non-homicide juvenile offense violates prior rulings.

Eighth Amendment (U.S.)brain developmentnon-homicideGrahamaggregate sentenceterm of yearsmeaningful opportunity to obtain releaseimmaturity
(2018)

Brief of Juvenile Law Center; Center for Law, Brain and Behavior; and Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendant/Appellant

The brief argues that mandatory harsh sentences for juveniles, particularly for felony murder, are unconstitutional. It states that age and individual mitigating factors must be considered during sentencing due to developmental differences.

felony murdermandatory sentencesMillerMontgomeryagemitigating circumstancesattendant characteristics of youthEighth Amendment (U.S.)individual considerationsmitigating qualities of youthneuroimagingbrain imagingfuture orientationdecision-makingadolescent development
(2018)

Brief of Amici Curiae: Juvenile Sentencing Project and Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

The brief argues that the Iowa Board of Parole must offer juvenile lifers a meaningful release opportunity based on their maturity and rehabilitation. The Board's procedures must ensure it has full information for these decisions.

meaningful opportunityparole review proceduresmitigating circumstances of youthrehabilitationpost-crime maturityMiller factorsyouthparole
(2018)

Brief of Amicus Curiae Juvenile Sentencing Project in Support of Appellant Corey Grant

This brief argues that current law requires children sentenced for crimes to have a meaningful chance for release. It claims Mr. Grant's 65-year sentence denies this opportunity, violating constitutional limits on juvenile sentencing.

meaningful opportunityjuvenile LWOPincorrigibleincapable of rehabilitationEighth Amendment (U.S.)Millerjuvenile offenderbeyond rehabilitationnon homicide offenseschildren
(2018)

Brief of Amici Curiae Juvenile Law Center, Juvenile Sentencing Project, and American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan

This brief argues that Michigan's parole system denies juvenile offenders a meaningful opportunity for release, violating their constitutional rights. It claims the system fails to consider a youth's potential for rehabilitation.

meaningful opportunity to obtain releaseEighth Amendment (U.S.)characteristics of youthchildhood offensespost-crime maturity and rehabilitationreduced blameworthiness diminished culpabilitydecision-makingrisky behavior
(2018)
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