Supreme Court to Review Life Sentences for Juvenile Offenders

CC Pro — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:50:00 GMT

In 2005, the Supreme Court outlawed the death penalty for juveniles. This week the Court announced it will review whether sentencing a juvenile to life without possibility of parole is cruel and unusual punishment. The justices will consider two cases from Florida that challenge the constitutionality of the life sentences imposed. According to a 2008 Human Rights Watch report, there are 2,484 juveniles that have received such a sentence, with the majority concentrated in the states of California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Juvenile Justice Connection : Supreme Court

Supreme Court to Review Life Sentences for Juvenile Offenders