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Kedrowitz v. State
The court affirmed a 100-year sentence for a 13-year-old who killed his siblings. It found the defendant competent and the sentence not cruel or unusual, despite arguments about his youth.
People v. Hardin
The California Supreme Court upheld a life without parole sentence for a 25-year-old. The court found no equal protection violation in denying parole opportunities available to younger offenders.
Commonwealth v. King
The court denied King’s appeal to overturn a previous order. He sought post-conviction relief regarding his original case.
People v. Taylor
The Michigan Supreme Court held that mandatory life without parole for juveniles is unconstitutional and applies retroactively. Robert Taylor's case was sent back for resentencing to consider his youth.
People v. Paredes
A 17-year-old convicted of murder challenged his mandatory life sentence. The court upheld it, citing his leadership and efforts to hide evidence, despite a ruling against such sentences for juveniles.
Montgomery v. Louisiana
The Supreme Court ruled that a previous ban on mandatory life without parole for juveniles applies retroactively. Henry Montgomery, sentenced as a 17-year-old, gained a chance for resentencing with parole.
Hartigan v. Zbaraz
The Illinois Parental Notice Abortion Act, requiring minors to notify a parent before an abortion, was found unconstitutional. A federal court ruled the waiting period and judicial bypass procedures created an undue burden.
People v. Rainer
The Colorado Supreme Court upheld a juvenile’s 40-year sentence. The court found that Miller v. Alabama, which banned mandatory life without parole for juveniles, did not apply to a long term-of-years sentence.
People v. Ybanez
The court upheld a juvenile's murder conviction and life sentence. It found no Sixth Amendment violation from a potential conflict of interest, nor a right to a guardian ad litem under state law.
People v. Walker
The Illinois Appellate Court upheld a life sentence without parole for a 17-year-old convicted of felony murder. The court found the sentence was not mandatory and therefore did not violate state or federal proportionate penalties clauses.
Watson v. Illinois
The court affirmed Kevin Watson's murder and aggravated vehicular hijacking convictions and sentences. Watson was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated vehicular hijacking, receiving consecutive sentences totaling 60 years.
Estrada-Huerta v. People
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled a juvenile's lengthy, consecutive sentences for kidnapping and sexual assault are not life without parole, as he remains eligible for parole.
Armstrong v. People
The Court found a 96-year sentence for a 16-year-old murder accomplice constitutional. Her sentence, though lengthy, offered parole eligibility, providing a meaningful chance for release.
Lucero v. People
The Colorado Supreme Court upheld a juvenile's lengthy sentence, finding it was not cruel and unusual punishment. The court distinguished it from life without parole, noting parole eligibility technically existed.
Martinez v. United States of America
The court held juvenile life sentences for RICO convictions were not restricted by new Supreme Court rulings. This was because the convictions included various crimes, not just murder.