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Understanding and Treating Unwanted Trauma Memories in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
People with PTSD often reexperience brief, vivid sensory impressions of a traumatic event. These intrusive memories feel like they are happening in the present, lack context, are easily triggered, and cause significant distress.
Adolescent Engagement in Dangerous Behaviors Is Associated with Increased White Matter Maturity of Frontal Cortex
Adolescents' risky behavior, a leading cause of death, is linked to brain development. A study found that engaging in dangerous activities is associated with greater, not less, frontal white matter maturity.
Age Differences in Future Orientation and Delay Discounting
Adolescents' ability to consider future consequences and plan ahead generally increases with age. However, studies do not consistently show age differences in how far into the future adolescents can imagine their lives.
Merit Brief of Amici Curiae American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation, Inc., Juvenile Law Center, Montgomery County Public Defender, and Children's Law Center, Inc. et al. in Support of Appellant
Ohio's Adam Walsh Act gives juvenile courts discretion to classify juvenile sex offenders. Only a juvenile court can reclassify an offender after a hearing, allowing the court to prioritize rehabilitation.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center; The Loyola Civitas ChildLaw Center; The Children and Family Justice Center; The Youth Law Center; and The National Juvenile Defender Center as Amici Curiae in Support of the Respondent-Appellant
The brief argues that youth in delinquency cases have a constitutional right to a zealous defense lawyer, not a guardian representing their best interests.
Brief of Amici Curiae TeamChild, Commitee for Indigent Representation and Civil Legal Equality, and Children and Family Justice Center
The brief argues that due process requires legal representation for children in truancy cases. Without counsel, children are denied a fair hearing and their right to education is jeopardized.
Brief of the American Medical Association and the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Support of Neither Party
This brief argues that adolescent brains are still developing, making them more prone to impulsive and risky behavior. It suggests these scientific differences are relevant to legal discussions about culpability.
Brief of Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators, et al.
This brief argues that juveniles should not receive life sentences without parole. It contends that a person's true character and potential for rehabilitation cannot be assessed until after adolescence.
Brief of Disability Rights Legal Center as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioners
Sending children to prison for life without parole is cruel and unusual. It violates the Eighth Amendment due to juveniles' lower culpability, potential for rehabilitation, and frequent disabilities.
Brief of Amici Curiae Educators in Support of Petitioners
This brief argues that sentencing adolescents to life without parole for non-homicide crimes is cruel and unusual. It contends that adolescents have a capacity for growth and rehabilitation that such sentences ignore.
Brief of Former Juvenile Offenders as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioners
The brief argues that sentencing juveniles to life without parole is unconstitutional. It states youth characteristics make them more capable of rehabilitation and less deserving of retribution, like death sentences.
Brief of Amici Curiae of the Mothers Against Murderers Association, Robert Hoelscher, Ruth Johnson, Azim Khamisa, Bill Pelke, Aqeela Sherrills, Tammi Smith, and Linda White in Support of Petitioners
This brief argues that sentencing juveniles to life without parole for crimes less severe than murder violates the Eighth Amendment. It contends that proportionality, rehabilitation, and forgiveness should guide juvenile sentencing.
Brief for the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioners
This brief argues that children are less culpable than adults due to their unique characteristics. It contends that juvenile life without parole sentences violate the Eighth Amendment and lead to unreliable outcomes.
Brief Amici Curiae of National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Lifers in Support of Respondent
This brief argues that juveniles who commit violent crimes should be eligible for life without parole sentences. It contends that the Eighth Amendment does not forbid such sentences, which are supported by national consensus.
Brief Amicus Curiae of Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence in Support of Respondents
This brief argues that the scientific evidence presented is not yet reliable enough for court use. It asserts that courts should not overturn legislative policy choices based on developing scientific theories.