Supreme Court Decision on Juvenile Life Sentences Invalidates Laws in 37 States and Federal Government

Saying that life sentences for juveniles who don't kill anyone "means a denial of hope," the Supreme Court today struck them down as unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment.

The 5-4 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy will affect 129 juveniles serving life sentences without parole -- 77 of them in Florida -- and invalidate laws of 37 states, the District of Columbia and the federal government.

But in his opinion, Kennedy said the practice is "exceedingly rare" and that "a national consensus has developed against it." He noted that currently 11 only states and the federal government have juveniles serving life without parole.

Kennedy said juveniles "lack maturity and have an underdeveloped sense of responsibility," and that for them, a life sentence actually translates into a far harsher sentence than an adult would receive for a comparable crime.

"A life without parole sentence improperly denies the juvenile offender a chance to demonstrate growth and maturity," Kennedy wrote.

Chief Justice John Roberts agreed with the outcome, but wrote a separate opinion saying he would not necessarily outlaw juvenile life sentences in extreme and brutal cases, such as those involving rape.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a sharp dissent, saying Kennedy's assertion that there was a national consensus against juvenile life sentences "will, I think, come as a surprise to the American people" and the 37 states that allow the practice.

"I am unwilling to assume that we as members of this Court, are any more capable of making such moral judgments than our fellow citizens," Thomas wrote in dissent, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito.

The case involved a 17-year-old Florida boy, Terrance Graham, who was on probation for robbery when he broke into a home and committed another robbery just before his 18th birthday. Although he was eligible for a minimum 5-year sentence, the judge sentenced him to the maximum of life, saying he was a threat to society and had made a conscious decision to throw his life away.

[justanicegirl1151]

In the world in which we live where juveniles are exposed to all the adult trappings of life way too soon, it is ridiculous to treat them as adults. Whatever evil they inflict on society, from whom do they get the idea? The so-called mature species of human being: Adults. They learn how to be robbers and murderers from adult entertainers and grown-up entertainment. And then we ask, "Why did you do that?!" And like the commercial says, "From you! I learned it from watching you!"

[justanicegirl1151]

And whose bright idea was it to make an 18 or 19 year old an adult who should get life? Is it any better to send them to jail for life as it is a 15 or 16 year old? When you were 19 were you any smarter than when you were 15?

[justanicegirl1151]

And whose bright idea was it to make an 18 or 19 year old an adult who should get life? Is it any better to send them to jail for life as it is a 15 or 16 year old? When you were 19 were you any smarter than when you were 15?

[justanicegirl1151]

In the world in which we live where juveniles are exposed to all the adult trappings of life way too soon, it is ridiculous to treat them as adults. Whatever evil they inflict on society, from whom do they get the idea? The so-called mature species of human being: Adults. They learn how to be robbers and murderers from adult entertainers and grown-up entertainment. And then we ask, "Why did you do that?!" And like the commercial says, "From you! I learned it from watching you!"

[heavynne]

People get less time for committing murder, so to lock someone up for life for two robberies says a lot about our justice system. This just makes no sense.

[magnumdr]

So does this mean that sombody should hire a teen to do a dirty job, or is there an excuse for murder.

[larry0304]

Oh c'mon! Most intelligent people know that robbery is just a prelude to more serious crimes. The ONLY thing I admire about the Arab world is their stance on stealing. It's the reason why that seldom happens in their countries. Ok, if we can't lock the animals up for life, then cut their hand off! That will make the little hoodlums think twice about stealing what hard working people have.

[davefromdayton]

Life for Robbery? Seems steep. Give juvies life for Murder and Rape, thats it.

[killmetoo]

Conscience decision to throw his life away???? That judge is crazy, as is Alito, Thomas, Scalia and Roberts.

[tsigili]

That's because it was the WRONG decision! Again!!!!