Resource Library
New to the Resource Library?
Learn how to navigate, search, and use our resources effectively.
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.
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.