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Valencia v. Arizona
The Arizona Supreme Court found a juvenile's mandatory life sentence unconstitutional. This followed the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against mandatory life sentences for juveniles without parole.
State v. Scott
The Washington Supreme Court affirmed a mandatory life sentence without parole for a "three strikes" offender whose initial crimes occurred as a juvenile. The court upheld precedent applying the "three strikes" law to adult offenders.
State v. Harrison
The Iowa Supreme Court upheld Keyon Harrison's felony murder conviction and life sentence, finding the rule applied to juveniles and the sentence was not cruel and unusual. The court also rejected his claim of ineffective trial counsel.
People v. Mendoza
The California Supreme Court considered if courts could create special rules for sentencing juveniles to life without parole. The case became moot when a new law made the defendant eligible for parole.
Carter v. State
Maryland's high court found life sentences for juveniles constitutional, stating the state's parole system offers a meaningful chance for release based on rehabilitation, as required by law.
State of Tennessee v. Tyshon Booker
Tennessee's high court ruled mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles are unconstitutional. Tyshon Booker, convicted at 16, will receive a new sentencing hearing considering his age and potential for rehabilitation.
State v. Williams-Bey
The Court ruled that juvenile offenders sentenced before new sentencing guidelines are not entitled to resentencing. Parole hearings sufficiently consider youth as a mitigating factor in these cases.
Brown v. Jordan
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled a person convicted as an adult for a crime committed at 16, and sentenced to life, is eligible for parole after 51 years.
Commonwealth v. Foust
The court upheld a mandatory minimum sentence for a first-time DUI offender. It deferred to the legislature on sentencing, acknowledging the debate on proportional punishment.
Howell v. Tennessee
The court ruled that fingerprint analysis sought by a convicted person does not require a likelihood of exoneration. The evidence only needs to show a reasonable probability of a more lenient sentence.
Commonwealth v. Mattis
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that mandatory life without parole for 18-20 year olds is unconstitutional. This decision, based on brain development research, found such sentences disproportionate for emerging adults.
State v. Bassett
The Court found juvenile life without parole sentences for a 16-year-old violate Washington's constitutional ban on cruel punishment, offering broader protection than the U.S. Eighth Amendment.
People v. Wilson
The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a 59-year sentence for a 14-year-old involved in a murder. The Court found the sentence did not violate his Eighth Amendment rights, despite his age and not firing the fatal shot.
State of Arizona v. Joshua Aston
The Arizona Supreme Court upheld a mandatory life sentence for a juvenile offender, finding the state had addressed prior U.S. Supreme Court rulings. This decision reversed an appeals court ruling that had granted resentencing.
People v. Moore
The Illinois Supreme Court denied Tory Moore's appeal for a new sentencing review. Moore, sentenced to life without parole for a murder committed at 19, argued his sentence was unconstitutional due to his age.