Resource Library
New to the Resource Library?
Learn how to navigate, search, and use our resources effectively.
Adolescent Substance Use and the Brain: Behavioral, Cognitive and Neuroimaging Correlates
Adolescent substance use, especially alcohol, cannabis, and e-cigarettes, remains a public health concern. Early use increases the risk of later substance use disorders and can negatively impact brain development.
Behavioral and Neural Pathways Supporting the Development of Prosocial and Risk-taking Behavior Across Adolescence
Adolescence involves a paradox of increased risk-taking and heightened social competence. This research explores if reward sensitivity and social-cognitive abilities drive both risk-taking and prosocial behaviors during this period.
Early Life Stress and Development: Potential Mechanisms for Adverse Outcomes
Early life stress, including various adverse experiences, significantly impacts children’s brain development. These experiences can lead to long-term negative consequences on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes.
Croft v. State
The defendant, sentenced to life as a juvenile offender, appealed based on new case law. The court held that the postconviction court lacked jurisdiction to resentence him.
Wittemen v. Florida
The court upheld a life sentence with parole eligibility after 25 years for a defendant convicted of murder at age 17, citing a recent Florida Supreme Court ruling.
G.T. v. Board of Education of Kanawha
The court found Kanawha County schools failed to provide effective behavior support for students with disabilities, violating federal law. This lack of support led to disciplinary actions and hindered learning for students like G.T.
Commonwealth v. Bredhold
The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that defendants not yet sentenced could not challenge the death penalty's constitutionality. The court vacated a lower court's finding that the death penalty for those under 21 was unconstitutional.
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Petitioner
NACDL argues the "trial tax" penalizes defendants who exercise their right to a jury trial with harsher sentences. This practice undermines justice, truth-seeking, and disproportionately affects young people.
Brief of the National Association for Public Defense, the Children’s Law Center, Inc., and the Institute for Compassion in Justice as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that 18-year-olds are a distinct group due to their development and legal status, warranting an exemption from execution. It claims a national consensus opposes this practice, which serves no penological purpose.
Brief of Erwin Chemerinsky, et al. as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that juveniles can only receive life without parole if a court finds them permanently incorrigible. It states the sentencing court failed to make this finding for the petitioner.
Brief of Amici Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mississippi Office of the State Public Defender, and Mississippi Public Defenders Association in Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that sentencing a juvenile to life without parole requires a specific finding of permanent incorrigibility. Mississippi's current practices are challenged as they fail to reliably implement this rule.
Brief of Amicus Curiae Juvenile Law Center in Support of Petitioner-Appellee Luis Noel Cruz and Affirmance
This brief argues mandatory life without parole for young adults is unconstitutional. It states young adults share the same developmental characteristics that reduce culpability for juveniles.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center as Amici Curiae in Response to Report of the Special Master
This brief argues that proposed bail reforms fail to address youth vulnerabilities. It recommends a presumption of indigence for youth in adult bail proceedings, citing their limited financial capacity and unique harms from detention.
Brief of Amici Curiae, Current and Former State Prosecutors, State Attorneys General, DOJ Officials, U.S. Attorneys, and Former Corrections Directors—In Support of Plaintiffs
Missouri offers parole to youth sentenced to life after 25 years. This process must assess maturity and rehabilitation, which promotes public trust and safety while upholding due process.
Brief of Amici Curiae Oregon Justice Resource Center and Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
The brief argues that lifetime imprisonment for juveniles, even with parole eligibility, is unconstitutional. It asserts that adolescent brain development means such sentences fail to serve the purposes of punishment.