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Brief Amici Curiae of the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers and Arizona Voice for Crime Victims, Inc. in Support of Respondent

The brief argues that individualized sentencing for youth, as per Miller, was met in this case. A new legal finding of incorrigibility would harm victims' families by forcing them to relive trauma through ongoing parole hearings.

permanent incorrigibilitylife without paroleLWOPvictimspossibility of parole
(2020)

Brief of Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming as Amici Curiae in Support of Respondent

This brief argues the lower court correctly sentenced Brett Jones to life without parole. It claims the Eighth Amendment does not require a specific finding that a juvenile is "permanently incorrigible" for such a sentence.

MillerMontgomerydiscretionary life without parole sentencinglife without paroleLWOPjuvenile sentencingyouth and its attendant circumstancesmandatory LWOPmandatory life without parole sentencesbeyond rehabilitationpermanently incorrigibleEighth Amendment (U.S.)
(2020)

Brief Amicus Curiae of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Support of Respondent

The petitioner argues the trial court improperly sentenced a minor to life without parole. The state asserts the sentencing judge considered all factors before imposing the sentence.

permanently incorrigibleEighth Amendment (U.S.)LWOPlife without paroleMillerDue Process Clause (U.S.)
(2020)

Brief for the United States as Amicus Curiae Supporting Respondent

The petitioner argues the Eighth Amendment requires a finding of permanent incorrigibility before sentencing a juvenile to life without parole. The brief asserts the Eighth Amendment imposes no such requirement.

permanently incorrigibleincapable of rehabilitationEighth Amendment (U.S.)Millerhomicidetransient immaturityyouth as mitigating circumstancesJLWOPjuvenile life without parole
(2020)

Brief of Amici Curiae Current and Former Prosecutors, Department of Justice Officials, and Judges in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that mandatory life without parole for juveniles is unconstitutional. It states courts must find a juvenile permanently incorrigible before sentencing them to life without parole.

permanent incorrigibilityproportionate sentencingEighth Amendment (U.S.)MillerMontgomerytransient immaturity
(2020)

Brief for Jonathan F. Mitchell and Adam K. Mortara as Amici Curiae in Support of Neither Party

The brief argues courts do not need to make a "permanent incorrigibility" finding when sentencing juveniles to life without parole. It asserts that prior rulings only require sentencers to consider youth, not specific factors.

permanent incorrigibilityincapable of rehabilitationMillerMontgomerymurderjuvenile homicide offenderscharacteristics of youthtransient immaturityEighth Amendment (U.S.)
(2020)

Brief for Amicus Curiae Madge Jones, Tony Jones, Marty Jones, and Nicolle Olson in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues youth offenders should only receive life without parole if proven incapable of change. Sentencers must transparently determine if a child is "irreparably corrupt" before imposing such a sentence.

incorrigibletransient immaturityMillerMontgomeryLWOPlife without parole
(2020)

Brief of the American Bar Association as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner

The brief argues that states must adopt procedures to determine if a juvenile offender's crime reflects permanent incorrigibility before imposing a life without parole sentence.

incorrigibilityincapable of rehabilitationJLWOPjuvenile life without paroleEighth Amendment (U.S.)irreparable corruptiontransient immaturityMiller
(2020)

Brief of Juvenile Law Center, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and 65 Other Organizations and Individuals as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that courts must find a juvenile offender permanently incorrigible before imposing a life without parole sentence. This is necessary to uphold Eighth Amendment protections for youth.

Eighth Amendment (U.S.)incorrigibilityMillerMontgomerylesser culpabilitylesser blameworthinessindividualize hearingsLWOPlife without parole
(2020)

Brief of Amici Curiae Children’s Rights Advocates in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellees

The brief argues the court wrongly denied children a legal remedy for climate change harm. It claims children lack political power and precedent requires judicial protection for vulnerable groups.

climate changeyouthemotional regulationvulnerabilitybrain
(2020)

Girls in Juvenile Justice

Girls' involvement in the juvenile justice system is rising, often linked to trauma and mental health issues. They are more frequently involved in status offenses and enter the system at a younger age than boys.

Juvenile justiceFemale offendersInterpersonal violenceGender-responsive programmingSchool-to-prison pipelineDisproportionate minority contact (DMC)Racial and ethnic disparities (RED)DiversionDecarcerationIntersectionalityTrauma-informed practice
(2020)

Addiction is driven by excessive goal-directed drug choice under negative affect: Translational critique of habit and compulsion theory

This paper evaluates goal-directed choice, habit, and compulsion theories of addiction. It finds that addiction is primarily driven by excessive goal-directed drug choice influenced by negative emotions.

Addictiongoal-directed choicehabitcompulsionnegative affectdrug rewarddecision-makingdependencewithdrawalstress
(2020)

Combined Pharmacotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults With Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Combined cognitive behavioral therapy and medication for addiction offered more benefits than usual care and medication alone. This highlights the importance of incorporating evidence-based therapies with pharmacotherapy in treatment.

(2020)

Godsey v. Sawyer

Godsey sued the Bureau of Prisons for buprenorphine access. She received treatment via settlement, but her request for attorney fees was denied as she was not considered the prevailing party.

Bureau of Prisonssettlementbuprenorphinesubstance use disorder
(2020)

Crews v. Sawyer

The court declared this case moot after the Bureau of Prisons settled to continue MAT with buprenorphine. This ended the risk of treatment denial, supported by updated First Step Act policy.

Bureau of PrisonsMATbuprenorphineFirst Step Actsettlementsubstance use disorder
(2020)