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North Carolina v. Alford
The Supreme Court held that a guilty plea is valid if it is voluntary, intelligent, and supported by strong evidence, even if the defendant maintains innocence. This allows defendants to accept punishment to avoid harsher outcomes.
Boykin v. Alabama
The Supreme Court ruled a guilty plea requires a voluntary waiver of rights with full understanding. The record lacked this proof, invalidating the plea and reversing the conviction.
McCarthy v. United States
The Supreme Court ruled that guilty pleas must be canceled if the judge fails to ensure the defendant understands the charges and consequences. Defendants can re-plead when proper legal procedures are not strictly followed.
Dusky v. United States
The Supreme Court ruled a defendant must rationally and factually understand court proceedings and be able to consult their lawyer to be competent for trial.
Buck v. Bell
The Supreme Court upheld Virginia's law allowing forced sterilization of those deemed "feeble-minded." This decision permitted the sterilization of Carrie Buck and excluded people with disabilities from constitutional protections.
The role of parent–child interactions in the association between mental health and prosocial behavior: Evidence from early childhood to late adolescence
The study examines how children's mental health symptoms and prosocial behavior relate over time, considering the impact of parent-child relationships like conflict and closeness. Researchers found varied connections between these factors.
Childhood maltreatment influences adult brain structure through its effects on immune, metabolic, and psychosocial factors
Childhood maltreatment is linked to brain structure changes later in life. This connection may be influenced by factors like adult trauma, obesity, and inflammation.
Trajectories of parental harshness and exposure to community violence differentially predict externalizing and internalizing mental health problems in legal system-involved youth
Mental health problems are rising in young people, especially those involved with the legal system. Parental harshness and community violence are common stressors contributing to these issues. These factors increase mental health risks.
A meta-analysis study on peer influence and adolescent substance use
This study synthesizes existing literature and conducts meta-analyses on how peer influence affects adolescent substance use. It aims to quantify this effect across multiple substances and compare perceived versus actual peer substance use.
People v. Masalmani
The court upheld a life sentence without parole for a 17-year-old convicted of murder, rejecting arguments that it violated the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
State v. Ramos
The Washington Supreme Court held a juvenile's 85-year sentence for murder was not cruel and unusual punishment. While not mandatory, the court noted its length was functionally similar to a life sentence.
Bright v. Massachusetts
The court upheld Ahmad Bright's murder conviction under joint venture liability. Key facts included his presence with the shooter and out-of-court statements admitted as evidence.
Ira v. Janecka
The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a 91.5-year sentence for a juvenile, finding parole eligibility after half the term avoided cruel and unusual punishment. The ruling considered the offender's age and potential for rehabilitation.
People v. Hyatt
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without parole for a juvenile felony murder accomplice is unconstitutional. The Court required individualized sentencing, considering a juvenile's potential for rehabilitation.
State v. James
The North Carolina Supreme Court held that mandatory life without parole for a 16-year-old violated the Eighth Amendment. The court considered the offender's age and the prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.