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People v. Buffer
The Illinois Supreme Court overturned Dimitri Buffer's 50-year sentence for a crime he committed as a 16-year-old. The court found the sentence violated the Eighth Amendment due to his youth.
Commonwealth v. Lugo
The court affirmed a 17-year-old's mandatory life sentence for murder. The defendant argued the mandatory sentence was unconstitutional because it prevented judicial discretion for juvenile offenders.
Commonwealth v. Blount
The court upheld a resentencing of 35-years-to-life for a crime committed as a youth. This followed a mandatory life sentence being ruled unconstitutional for juveniles.
Bonilla v. Iowa Board of Parole
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that juveniles sentenced to life must receive more consideration in parole hearings than adults, including a focus on rehabilitation. However, it did not mandate specific procedures like appointed counsel.
Newton v. Indiana
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled that a trial court cannot grant a belated appeal request filed over 30 days after final judgment. Larry Newton's murder conviction appeal was denied due to this procedural deadline.
Commonwealth v. Lee
The court upheld a life without parole sentence for a crime committed at 18. It acknowledged evolving science on young adult brain development but declined to apply it retroactively.
People v. House
The Illinois Supreme Court mostly upheld a mandatory life sentence for two murders. The Court found the specific case did not violate the proportionate penalties clause.
Howard v. Coonrod
The court found Florida's parole system for juvenile lifers unconstitutional, as it made release nearly impossible. The state commission failed to consider their maturity and rehabilitation.
Commonwealth v. Sharma
The court ruled a juvenile convicted of second-degree murder was not entitled to automatic resentencing under new laws. His life sentence was not cruel, but the original judge should have considered his age and rehabilitation.
State v. McDougald
The court denied McDougald's appeal to reduce his life sentence. Changes in sentencing laws do not retroactively apply to his past violent felony convictions, thus his original sentence stands.
People v. Matias
An appeals court upheld a murder sentence for a defendant convicted at 16. The court found the original judge considered his age, and the sentence was within legal limits.
State of Ohio v. Graham
The court upheld a life sentence without parole for a 21-year-old convicted of aggravated murder. His requests to represent himself were unclear, and his age did not violate constitutional protections.
In re Williams
The Washington Supreme Court denied a prisoner's petition challenging COVID-19 confinement conditions. The Court found the state's efforts to mitigate the virus were sufficient and the conditions did not violate constitutional rights.
Lee Boyd Malvo v. State of Maryland
The court ruled Malvo's life-without-parole sentences, imposed as a 17-year-old, should be reevaluated. This reflects Supreme Court changes requiring youth and rehabilitation potential to be considered in juvenile sentencing.
State v. Ali
The Minnesota Supreme Court found that consecutive life sentences for a juvenile are not the same as life without parole. The Court declined to extend federal precedent that restricts juvenile life without parole.