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Brief of Human Rights for Kids as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner

The Sixth Circuit's interpretation of the Armed Career Criminal Act punishes juvenile offenders disproportionately. It applies adult standards to children, violating the Eighth Amendment and risking unconstitutional sentences.

child offenderscareer criminal status;irredeemable offendersincapabile of rehabilitationunderdeveloped brainsentencing enhancementsArmed Career Criminal Act (ACCA)
(2020)

Brief of Juvenile Law Center, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and 65 Other Organizations and Individuals as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that sentencing courts must find a juvenile offender permanently incorrigible before imposing a life without parole sentence. This finding ensures compliance with Eighth Amendment protections for youth.

Millerpermanent incorrigibilityEighth Amendmentracial biasjuvenile offenderLWOP
(2020)

Brief of Amicus Curiae Professor Vincent Schiraldi, Columbia University School of Social Work, in Support of William M. Palmer II

Adolescents are biologically and behaviorally distinct from adults, leading to reduced culpability and greater capacity for change. The brief argues this counsels against excessive punishment for a 17-year-old.

adolescent decision-makingimpulsivityrisky behavioradolescent brainreduced criminal culpabilityreduced criminal blameworthinessneurological factorsenvironmentbehavioral factorsirrational behaviorunique developmental characteristics of the adolescent brain
(2020)

Brief of Amici Curiae Juvenile Law Center, Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth, et al. in Support of Respondent Lee Boyd Malvo

The brief argues mandatory life without parole for juveniles is unconstitutional. It claims courts must consider a child's age, home life, and role in the crime before imposing such a sentence.

attendant characteristics of youthdevelopmentally appropriateMillerMontgomeryLWOPlife without paroleEighth Amendment (U.S.)transient immaturitytemporary immaturityretroactive reliefresentencingmandatory sentencingdiscretionary sentencing
(2020)

Brief Amici Curiae of the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers and Arizona Voice for Crime Victims, Inc. in Support of Respondent

The brief argues that individualized sentencing for youth, as per Miller, was met in this case. A new legal finding of incorrigibility would harm victims' families by forcing them to relive trauma through ongoing parole hearings.

permanent incorrigibilitylife without paroleLWOPvictimspossibility of parole
(2020)

Brief of Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming as Amici Curiae in Support of Respondent

This brief argues the lower court correctly sentenced Brett Jones to life without parole. It claims the Eighth Amendment does not require a specific finding that a juvenile is "permanently incorrigible" for such a sentence.

MillerMontgomerydiscretionary life without parole sentencinglife without paroleLWOPjuvenile sentencingyouth and its attendant circumstancesmandatory LWOPmandatory life without parole sentencesbeyond rehabilitationpermanently incorrigibleEighth Amendment (U.S.)
(2020)

Brief Amicus Curiae of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Support of Respondent

The petitioner argues the trial court improperly sentenced a minor to life without parole. The state asserts the sentencing judge considered all factors before imposing the sentence.

permanently incorrigibleEighth Amendment (U.S.)LWOPlife without paroleMillerDue Process Clause (U.S.)
(2020)

Brief for the United States as Amicus Curiae Supporting Respondent

The petitioner argues the Eighth Amendment requires a finding of permanent incorrigibility before sentencing a juvenile to life without parole. The brief asserts the Eighth Amendment imposes no such requirement.

permanently incorrigibleincapable of rehabilitationEighth Amendment (U.S.)Millerhomicidetransient immaturityyouth as mitigating circumstancesJLWOPjuvenile life without parole
(2020)

Brief of Amici Curiae Current and Former Prosecutors, Department of Justice Officials, and Judges in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that mandatory life without parole for juveniles is unconstitutional. It states courts must find a juvenile permanently incorrigible before sentencing them to life without parole.

permanent incorrigibilityproportionate sentencingEighth Amendment (U.S.)MillerMontgomerytransient immaturity
(2020)

Brief for Jonathan F. Mitchell and Adam K. Mortara as Amici Curiae in Support of Neither Party

The brief argues courts do not need to make a "permanent incorrigibility" finding when sentencing juveniles to life without parole. It asserts that prior rulings only require sentencers to consider youth, not specific factors.

permanent incorrigibilityincapable of rehabilitationMillerMontgomerymurderjuvenile homicide offenderscharacteristics of youthtransient immaturityEighth Amendment (U.S.)
(2020)

Brief for Amicus Curiae Madge Jones, Tony Jones, Marty Jones, and Nicolle Olson in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues youth offenders should only receive life without parole if proven incapable of change. Sentencers must transparently determine if a child is "irreparably corrupt" before imposing such a sentence.

incorrigibletransient immaturityMillerMontgomeryLWOPlife without parole
(2020)

Brief of the American Bar Association as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner

The brief argues that states must adopt procedures to determine if a juvenile offender's crime reflects permanent incorrigibility before imposing a life without parole sentence.

incorrigibilityincapable of rehabilitationJLWOPjuvenile life without paroleEighth Amendment (U.S.)irreparable corruptiontransient immaturityMiller
(2020)

Brief of Juvenile Law Center, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and 65 Other Organizations and Individuals as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that courts must find a juvenile offender permanently incorrigible before imposing a life without parole sentence. This is necessary to uphold Eighth Amendment protections for youth.

Eighth Amendment (U.S.)incorrigibilityMillerMontgomerylesser culpabilitylesser blameworthinessindividualize hearingsLWOPlife without parole
(2020)

Brief of Amici Curiae Children’s Rights Advocates in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellees

The brief argues the court wrongly denied children a legal remedy for climate change harm. It claims children lack political power and precedent requires judicial protection for vulnerable groups.

climate changeyouthemotional regulationvulnerabilitybrain
(2020)

Amended Brief of AIDS United, et al, as Amici Curiae in Support of Appellees Safehouse & Jose Benitez and Seeking Affirmance of Order Granting Final Declaratory Judgment

A coalition of health organizations supports Safehouse's plan for a supervised consumption site. They argue it saves lives, reduces disease, and connects people to treatment without increasing crime, aligning with federal law.

Safehousesupervised consumption sitesoverdose crisisharm reductionfentanylevidence-based intervention
(2020)
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