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State ex rel. Carr v. Wallace
The court ruled Mr. Carr's three life sentences were unconstitutional because the jury could not consider his youth. This violated the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment.
Steilman v. Michael
The Montana Supreme Court ruled a 17-year-old's 110-year sentence was not a life sentence. This was due to accumulated good-time credits and a previously discharged portion of his sentence.
People v. Holman
The Illinois Supreme Court found the defendant's life sentence for a murder committed at age 17 constitutional. The lower court properly considered his youth and individual circumstances when imposing the sentence.
State v. Zuber
The court ruled that lengthy juvenile sentences must consider the defendant's youth. Ricky Zuber, sentenced to 110 years as a teen, sought reconsideration based on Supreme Court precedent.
Garcia v. State
The Court denied relief to a juvenile offender sentenced to life without parole, finding a new law allowing resentencing could not be applied retroactively to his 1996 conviction.
Brief for Amicus Curiae Fair Punishment Project in Support of Petitioner, Willbanks and Nathan
The brief argues prior rulings protecting children from life sentences should extend to lengthy, combined sentences. It asserts that children's sentences must focus on rehabilitation.
State of New Mexico's Answer Brief to Amicus Brief in Chief
This brief argues that current Supreme Court rulings on juvenile sentencing do not prohibit lengthy aggregated sentences for multiple crimes.
Motion of Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, Columbia Legal Services, and Washington Defender Association for Leave to File Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondent
This brief argues that juvenile life without parole, including de facto sentences, is unconstitutional under state law. It asserts that state protections are stronger than federal law regarding juvenile sentencing.
Amici Curiae Brief of Columbia Legal Services and TeamChild
This brief argues that juvenile courts undermine rehabilitation by denying record sealing without proper hearings. Public records create unfair barriers to housing, education, and jobs, especially for youth of color.
Brief of Amici Curiae Senator Angela Bryant, Senator Erica Smith-Ingram, Representative Kelly Alexander, Representative Larry Bell, Representative Jean Farmer-Butterfield, and Representative Rosa Gill et al., in Support of Defendant-Appellant
The brief argues that sentencing juvenile offenders to life without parole should be rare, reserved for extreme cases. It contends North Carolina's current scheme is unconstitutional, vague, and worsens racial disparities.
Brief of Amici Curiae Juvenile Law Center, Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth, and Juvenile Sentencing Project in Support of Defendant-Appellee Harry Sharod James
This brief argues that sentencing youth to life without parole should be rare. It requires a detailed review of age-related factors, a juvenile's home life, peer pressure, and potential for rehabilitation.
Brief for Amicus Curiae Fair Punishment Project in Support of Petitioner, Johnson
This brief argues for a categorical ban on life without parole sentences for juveniles. It contends neither courts nor experts can reliably determine if a child's crime reflects irreparable corruption.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center, Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth, and Center for Law, Brain and Behavior as Amici Curiae in Support of Appellant Harrison
This brief argues that Iowa's felony murder law is unfair to juveniles like Keyon Harrison. It contends that scientific findings about youth culpability mean juveniles should not be liable under felony murder.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center Et. Al Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that the national consensus now considers individuals under 21 to have diminished culpability. It seeks to extend the ban on the death penalty to offenders under 21, citing evolving laws and brain science.
Increased Striatal Activity in Adolescence Benefits Learning
Brain activity in reward-related areas peaks in late adolescence and early adulthood. This increased activity predicts better learning now and in the future.