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Brief of the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that a 12-year-old sentenced to 30 years without parole in adult court was an uninformed and unfortunate decision. It suggests the juvenile system should have retained jurisdiction.
A Social Neuroscience Perspective on Adolescent Risk-taking
Adolescents face significant public health threats from preventable, self-inflicted risks like accidents and substance use.
Adolescent development and the regulation of youth crime
In re Fabian A
Connecticut courts must explain plea consequences to juveniles in an age-appropriate way. This ensures they understand potential penalties and commitment extensions before pleading guilty.
Patterson v. Board of Trustees, State Police Retirement System
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that severe mental injuries can qualify for accidental disability benefits, but only if caused by a terrifying event that threatened physical safety or involved death or serious injury.
Council v. State
The South Carolina Supreme Court granted a new penalty hearing. The Court found counsel ineffective for failing to present mitigating evidence of the defendant's mental health issues and traumatic past.
Allen v. Bloomfield Hills Sch. Dist.
The court ruled PTSD can be a bodily injury with objective medical evidence of brain changes. Expert testimony connecting trauma to brain abnormalities was enough to proceed.
Erickson v. Pardus
The Supreme Court ruled a prisoner's claim of denied life-saving medical treatment for hepatitis C deserved a full hearing. This reinforced inmates' right to challenge prison medical care under the Eighth Amendment.
Childhood Psychiatric Disorders and Young Adult Crime: A Prospective, Population-Based Study
A study found that young adults with a history of psychiatric disorders as children or adolescents were more likely to commit crimes. This link was especially strong for specific combinations of disorders.
Malone v. State
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals upheld a death sentence. It ruled that drug-induced psychosis did not meet the legal insanity threshold, despite evidence the defendant suffered from it.
Kimbrough v. US
The Supreme Court ruled that judges can consider the sentencing differences between crack and powder cocaine when applying advisory guidelines.
Abdul-Kabir v. Quarterman
The Supreme Court overturned a death sentence because Texas jury instructions prevented full consideration of the defendant's troubled childhood and mental health. Jurors must be allowed to weigh all relevant mitigating evidence.
State v. Monteiro
Rhode Island's "Mario's Law" makes those sentenced before age 22 eligible for parole after 20 years. The State argues it excludes people with multiple consecutive sentences and violates separation of powers.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center and National Juvenile Defender Center as Amici Curiae in Support of the Defendant-Appellant
This brief argues that a jury should consider a 16-year-old defendant's age as a standalone factor when evaluating a duress defense. The lower court erred by limiting age's relevance to only a comparison with the coercers' ages.
Brief of Juvenile Law Center in support of Omar Khadr
Amici argue military commissions cannot prosecute minors due to absent jurisdiction rules and lack of distinct processes for youth. Federal law and science show adolescents differ from adults, making them less culpable.