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Positive Risk Taking in Adolescence

Risk-taking encompasses a spectrum from positive, socially acceptable behaviors to negative, dangerous ones. Positive risks generally benefit well-being, carry mild potential costs, and are legal and socially acceptable.

Adolescentschildrenadultsrisk takingpositive risknegative riskdecision makingadolescenceadolescent risk taking
(2019)

Racism and Health: Evidence and Needed Research

Racism, an organized social system, profoundly affects health and creates racial health inequities. It operates through structural, cultural, and individual mechanisms, acting as a fundamental cause of persistent disparities.

raceethnicitymental healthphysical healthracism
(2019)

The Teenage Brain: Public Perceptions of Neurocognitive Development During Adolescence

Neuroscience research on adolescent brain development often leads to misconceptions in public discourse. This study explores how public understanding of the "teenage brain" influences adolescents' self-perception and behaviors.

Real-world neuroscienceadolescencepublic perspectives
(2019)

Porter v. Clarke

The 4th Circuit found Virginia's near-solitary confinement for death-row inmates unconstitutional. It risked serious psychological harm due to 23-24 hour in-cell isolation and minimal social contact.

death-rownear-solitary confinementEighth Amendmentpsychological harmminimal social contact
(2019)

Pike v. Gross

The court denied Pike's appeal. His claim was that his lawyer failed to present evidence of brain damage, bipolar disorder, and PTSD during his sentencing.

federal habeas reliefpenalty-phase counselineffective counselmitigating evidencebrain damagebipolar disorderPTSDdenial
(2019)

Anderson v. Kelley

The Eighth Circuit found counsel’s investigation into Anderson’s mitigation claims, including teen brain limits and PTSD, was reasonable. Therefore, legal assistance was not constitutionally deficient.

mitigationteen brain limitsPTSDFASD fetal alcohol disorderinvestigationineffective assistance
(2019)

Andrews v. Davis

The Ninth Circuit ordered a new sentencing phase. Trial counsel was ineffective for not presenting significant evidence of the defendant's abusive upbringing and trauma during the initial sentencing.

sentencing reliefineffective counselmitigating evidenceabusive upbringingtraumapenalty phase
(2019)

The Brain in Solitude: An (Other) Eighth Amendment Challenge to Solitary Confinement

Solitary confinement lacks consistent rules and often causes harm, yet courts rarely find it unconstitutional. New neuroscience research suggests extreme isolation inherently deprives basic human needs and can cause lasting brain damage.

eighth amendmentextreme isolationneuroplasticitypunishmentsocialneurosciencesolitary confinement
(2019)

There Is No One Here to Protect You: Trauma Among Children Fleeing Violence in Central America

Children fleeing violence in Central America arrive at the U.S. border with significant trauma. Many experience severe physical and psychological issues, yet U.S. policies often worsen their suffering.

childrentraumaasylumviolenceUSUnited StatesCentral America
(2019)

Linn v. State

The Iowa Supreme Court reinstated a murder defendant's claim, finding that expert testimony on battered woman syndrome and trauma could be critical, and denying funds for such an expert was an abuse of discretion.

murder defendantpostconviction claimexpert testimonybattered woman syndrometraumadenying fundsabuse of discretionrevived claim
(2019)

State v. Jenkins

The Nebraska Supreme Court found prolonged solitary confinement can worsen mental illness. However, the court did not consider it a mitigating factor because the defendant's misconduct caused the isolation.

Solitary confinementmental illnesspsychological harmmitigationdefendant's misconductlasting harmisolation
(2019)

Brief of the Promise of Justice Initiative and National Association for Public Defense as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that Mr. McKinney's death sentence relies on outdated understandings of PTSD and trauma. It asserts that his horrific childhood abuse and neglect were not adequately considered.

childhood abuseneglectPost-Traumatic Stress DisorderPTSDdeath sentencemitigationtraumaleniency
(2019)

Brief of Amici Curiae Kenneth Wyniemko and the Innocence Project

The brief argues that showup identifications are inherently unreliable and often lead to wrongful convictions. It contends that the stationhouse showup of Mr. Sammons was unnecessarily suggestive and violated his rights.

showupseyewitness identificationwrongful convictionsmisidentificationsuggestive identificationlineup procedure
(2019)

Brief of Amici Curiae the Innocence Project, Inc. and the Midwest Innocence Project in Support of Appellant

This brief argues that eyewitness identification is often unreliable and can lead to wrongful convictions. It asks the Court to allow expert testimony on factors affecting eyewitness reliability.

eyewitness identificationexpert testimonywrongful convictionsreliabilitymisidentification
(2019)

Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that Roderick White's Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses was violated.

Sixth AmendmentConfrontation Clausecross-examineout-of-court statementcross-examinerecanted statementDNA evidence
(2019)