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Stallings v. State
A 17-year-old was sentenced to life with parole for battery, robbery, and assault. The court ruled he must receive a new parole hearing to ensure a meaningful chance of release.
Atwell v. State
Florida's Supreme Court ruled a life sentence with parole for a 16-year-old was unconstitutional. The state's parole system offered no meaningful release opportunity, violating Miller v. Alabama.
State v. Garza
The court affirmed a 90-year sentence for a juvenile convicted of murder. This was not considered a de facto life sentence, and life without parole is still permissible in some cases.
Veal v. State
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled Robert Veal, sentenced to life without parole at age seventeen, deserved a new sentence review. This was based on a US Supreme Court decision and the original court not finding him permanently incorrigible.
State v. Sweet
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled a life without parole sentence for juveniles is unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment. This case involved a juvenile convicted of first-degree murder.
People v. Lozano
The court held a juvenile's life without parole sentence required review under Miller v. Alabama. The defendant committed their crime as a juvenile, prompting the appeal.
In re J.G.
The Supreme Court held that sentencing a 16-year-old to life without parole for capital murder violates the Eighth Amendment. This ruling found such a sentence to be cruel and unusual punishment for juvenile offenders.
People v. Reyes
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that mandatory consecutive minimum sentences for a juvenile constituted a de facto life sentence, violating the Eighth Amendment. The case was remanded for resentencing considering youth.
Individual Differences in Frontolimbic Circuitry and Anxiety Emerge with Adolescent Changes in Endocannabinoid Signaling Across Species
Genetic variations in an enzyme called FAAH, which affects brain chemistry, influence anxiety risk. This genetic effect primarily emerges during adolescence in both humans and mice, aligning with developmental changes in the brain.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Leaving and Returning to the Parental Home: the Role of Life Course Transitions, Socioeconomic Resources, and Family Connectivity
More young adults now live with their parents due to economic shifts. Racial and ethnic groups show different rates and timing of leaving or returning home.
Stress and the Adolescent Brain: Amygdala-prefrontal Cortex Circuitry and Ventral Striatum as Developmental Targets
Adolescence is a crucial period for brain development, making it both highly adaptable and vulnerable to stress. The timing and type of stress exposure during this time can significantly impact brain function.
The Lasting Impact of Early-life Adversity on Individuals and Their Descendants: Potential Mechanisms and Hope for Intervention
Early life stress profoundly impacts mental health across a lifespan. Studies, particularly with animals, show it alters brain development, fear learning, and stress responses, increasing the risk of psychopathology.
The Role of Social Determinants in Explaining Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Perinatal Outcomes
The US has significant racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality, driven by higher preterm birth rates among minority women. Social determinants of health, like income, education, housing, and racism, mediate these differences.
When Is an Adolescent an Adult? Assessing Cognitive Control in Emotional and Nonemotional Contexts
Legal definitions of adulthood vary, but brain development, especially in areas controlling behavior, continues into the early 20s. This suggests that cognitive control in emotional situations may mature later than in neutral ones.
Young Adulthood as a Transitional Legal Category: Science, Social Change, and Justice Policy
The article finds that developmental brain research suggests young adults, like juveniles, are less culpable for crimes and have a greater potential for reform. This research supports reconsidering how the law treats offenders up to age 21.