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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.
Hobbs v. Gordon
The Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed that Miller v. Alabama, which bars mandatory life without parole for juveniles, applies retroactively. This ruling upheld the decision to grant Ulonzo Gordon relief from his juvenile life sentence.
Layman v. State
The Indiana Supreme Court reversed felony murder convictions for two juveniles. It found the evidence insufficient and facts differed from previous cases, remanding for new proceedings.
State v. Soto
The court ruled that mandatory life without parole for juveniles is unconstitutional. This applied retroactively, allowing re-sentencing for those convicted as teenagers like Michael Soto.
Jones v. Commonwealth
The court ruled that a juvenile's life sentence without parole was permissible because Virginia's law allowed some parole possibility, differing from the mandatory sentences restricted by *Miller v. Alabama*.
People v. Palafox
The Court of Appeal overturned a gang-related probation condition for a 16-year-old convicted of murder. It found no evidence linking gang activity to the crime or rehabilitation needs.
People v. Vigil
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Miller v. Alabama, banning mandatory life without parole for juveniles, does not apply retroactively to cases already finalized, upholding Vigil's sentence.
Songster v. Beard
The court sent a juvenile lifer's case back to reconsider his sentence after a Supreme Court ruling banned mandatory life without parole for minors. The court did not decide if the new rule applied retroactively.