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People v. Skinner
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that a separate finding of permanent incorrigibility is not required to sentence a juvenile offender to life without parole.
Malvo v. Mathena
Lee Malvo, a D.C. sniper, appealed his life without parole sentence. His appeals, citing mental impairment and Eighth Amendment violations, were denied; he remains in prison.
State v. Seam
The court found a life sentence with parole for a defendant did not violate his constitutional rights. The prior ruling on juvenile life sentences without parole did not apply.
In the Interest of C.K.
The New Jersey Supreme Court found the state's lifetime Megan's Law requirements for juvenile sex offenders unconstitutional. The Court ruled these requirements were overly punitive and lacked a rational basis for juveniles.
State v. J.R.
The Court ruled that a juvenile's curfew violation provided probable cause for arrest, justifying the search that uncovered controlled substances. Evidence found during the search was admissible.
Morrow v. Ford
The court denied Morrow's appeal, finding his attorneys were not ineffective for their handling of mitigating evidence or for not hiring an independent crime scene expert.
Justin Burrell v. State of Delaware
The Delaware Supreme Court reviewed jury instructions for Justin Burrell's murder conviction. It aimed to determine if self-defense laws were fairly presented for the then-17-year-old.
Associations between substance use and type of crime in prisoners with substance use problems - a focus on violence and fatal violence
Substance use disorders are common among incarcerated individuals and strongly predict violent crime. Specific substance use patterns differ among prisoners depending on the type of crime committed.
Neuropsychological changes in patients with Substance Use Disorder after completion of a one month intensive outpatient treatment program
Many adults with substance use disorders (SUD) also have impaired executive functioning (EF). This study found that patients completing an intensive outpatient program for SUD showed improved EF, though some impairment remained.
US v. Mosley
The court found Mosley's mental health issues and substance use disorder mitigated his violations. He received time served and supervised release instead of more incarceration.
US v. Montgomery
The court ruled the government failed to prove Kevin Montgomery was sexually dangerous. His cocaine use disorder was not a serious mental illness justifying civil commitment.
Neuroscience of addiction: Relevance to prevention and treatment
Drug overdoses, alcohol, and tobacco use cause hundreds of thousands of deaths and substantial economic costs annually. Research on neurobiology and genetics is helping identify new ways to prevent and treat substance use disorders.
Scientific Support for a Developmentally Informed Approach to Miranda Rights
Adolescents often struggle to understand Miranda warnings and their legal rights. This can lead to unknowingly waiving rights or making false confessions, especially for those in custody.
Temptations of Friends: Adolescents’ Neural and Behavioral Responses to Best Friends Predict Risky Behavior
Adolescents engage in more risky behavior when with peers, driven by their heightened sensitivity to social rewards. Neural responses to peer reward may make some adolescents more vulnerable to risky choices.
Brain Activity, Low Self-Control, and Delinquency: An fMRI Study of At-Risk Adolescents
Research shows a clear link between low self-control and antisocial behavior. Recent studies increasingly explore both social causes and brain activity related to low self-control.