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State v. Arias
Arias, a 16-year-old, received a life sentence for murder. The court later reversed this due to a Supreme Court ruling against mandatory life sentences for juveniles.
Commonwealth v. Olds
The court ruled mandatory life sentences for juveniles convicted of murder are unconstitutional. Ricky Olds, convicted at 14, challenged his sentence based on new Supreme Court precedent.
Keefe v. State
The Montana Supreme Court ruled that a life sentence without parole for a 17-year-old killer violated the Eighth Amendment. It ordered a new sentencing hearing, citing a U.S. Supreme Court case limiting such sentences for juveniles.
State v. Patrick
The Ohio Supreme Court upheld Patrick's life sentence with parole eligibility for aggravated murder committed at age 18. The court reasoned his sentence was constitutional given his adult status and parole opportunity.
Hairston v. State
The Idaho Supreme Court upheld a death sentence for a 19-year-old convicted of murder. The court found that Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment do not extend to offenders over 18.
Cruz v. United States
The court upheld a mandatory life sentence for an 18-year-old, finding the Eighth Amendment's protections against cruel and unusual punishment apply differently after age 18.
Norman Brown v. Anne Precythe
The Eighth Circuit ruled Missouri's parole process for juvenile offenders is constitutional. The court found their review process already provides a meaningful opportunity for release, exceeding standard parole procedures.
In re C.Z.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied a blanket release for juvenile detainees during COVID-19. However, the Court encouraged judges to individually review cases for potential release to reduce health risks.
J.H. v. Edwards
The court ruled that J.H. could sue the juvenile facility for potentially violating his rights. J.H. alleged the facility's COVID-19 response, including poor sanitation and overcrowding, put residents at risk.
People v. Manning
The Michigan Supreme Court declined to review a case challenging a mandatory life without parole sentence for an 18-year-old. Arguments were made that such a sentence violates the Eighth Amendment due to young adult brain development.
In re Brooks
The Washington Supreme Court ruled that a juvenile given a life sentence for crimes committed in 1978 is entitled to a new sentencing hearing. This hearing will consider his youth and potential for rehabilitation.
Commonwealth v. Cobbs
The Court upheld a life without parole sentence for an inmate who assaulted another prisoner. Though the inmate's original life sentence was later deemed unconstitutional, he was still validly serving it during the assault.
People v. Lusby
The court ruled a 130-year sentence for a 16-year-old was unconstitutional. This decision applied new sentencing rules for juveniles to an older murder and assault case.
State v. Moretti
The Washington Supreme Court affirmed life sentences without parole under the Three Strikes law. It ruled that the Eighth Amendment did not categorically protect young adults who committed their first offenses as minors.
Commonwealth v. Bourgeois
A juvenile offender argued his lengthy sentences for crimes committed as a minor violated his Eighth Amendment rights. The court ruled his age and rehabilitation were already considered, and the sentences were not a de facto life sentence.