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Amended Brief of Juvenile Law Center on Behalf of Petitioners
This brief argues lengthy prison sentences for non-homicide crimes committed as a juvenile are unconstitutional. It states these sentences deny a meaningful chance for release, violating Eighth Amendment protections for children.
Amicus Curiae Brief of Alaska Family Action
The brief argues that Alaska's Parental Notice Law protects minors by fostering family involvement in pregnancy decisions. It asserts that minors are uniquely vulnerable, making parental guidance crucial for their health and well-being.
Brief of National Center for Youth Law and Juvenile Law Center as Amici Curiae in Support of Respondent-Appellant
Amici support immediate appeals of juvenile-to-adult court transfers. They argue recent Supreme Court decisions on adolescent development require allowing challenges to transfers before final judgments.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center on Behalf of Appellee
This brief argues that since mandatory life without parole for juveniles is unconstitutional, the default sentence for juvenile first-degree murder in Massachusetts should be the lesser included offense of manslaughter.
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Defendant-Appellant, E.L.
The brief argues the Eighth Amendment requires courts to consider a child's youth before sentencing them to life without parole. It contends Eric Long's sentence is invalid because his age was not considered.
Brief of Amicus Curiae Juvenile Law Center in Support of Appellee’s Petition for Rehearing with Suggestion for Rehearing En Banc
This brief argues a life without parole sentence for a juvenile violates Supreme Court precedent. It emphasizes that children are different from adults and require individualized sentencing considerations.
Amended Merit Brief of Amicus Curiae Ohio Attorney General Michael Dewine in Support of Appellee State of Ohio
This brief argues that a juvenile offender’s life sentence without parole is constitutional. The trial court had discretion and considered his youth, distinguishing this case from others requiring resentencing.
Brief of Amici Curiae Juvenile Law Center, Legal Voice, and National Center for Youth Law in Support of Appellants
This brief argues that Alaska's Parental Notification Law (PNL) violates equal protection. It claims the PNL unfairly burdens minors seeking abortions compared to those seeking other pregnancy-related care.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of Petitioner
This brief argues that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional and should apply retroactively. It claims the Supreme Court already affirmed this in a similar case.
Corrected Brief on Behalf of Petitioner
The brief argues a sentencing scheme for juveniles is unconstitutional, as it denies a meaningful chance for release. It states that children differ from adults and deserve less harsh punishment.
Application to File Amicus Curiae Brief and Brief of Juvenile Law Center as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of Appellant
This brief argues California's mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles violate Supreme Court rulings. It claims the law doesn't allow for individualized sentencing and contradicts adolescent development research.
Amended Amicus Brief in Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that juvenile offenders are different from adults and should receive sentences that reflect their reduced culpability. It urges the court to reject a 90-year sentence for a juvenile as a de facto life sentence.
Brief of Amicus Curiae, Herby J. Caillot in Support of Positions of Gregory Diatchenko and Marquise Brown
This brief argues that juvenile offenders previously sentenced to life without parole must receive relief on appeal. It contends that resentencing should consider juvenile status and existing law, possibly allowing a new trial.
Amicus Curiae Brief on Behalf of American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts; Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Racial Justice at Harvard Law School et al.
This brief argues that Massachusetts should prohibit all life-without-parole sentences for juveniles. It asserts that such sentences are both "cruel" and "unusual" under the state's Declaration of Rights, going beyond federal standards.
Amicus Brief in Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that juveniles differ from adults and these differences should affect sentencing. It supports rejecting a 90-year sentence for a 17-year-old, viewing it as a life sentence.