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Supreme Court Bars Life Without Parole for Teen Killers
June 25, 2012
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The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that states may not impose mandatory life sentences without parole on juveniles, even if they have been convicted of taking part in a murder, reports the New York Times.
The justices ruled in a 5-to-4 decision that such sentencing for those under 18 violated the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The ruling left open the possibility of judges’ sentencing juveniles to life imprisonment without parole in individual circumstances but said state laws could not automatically impose such sentences.
Read the full New York Times story.
Tags: U.S. Supreme Court Cases, Juveniles, Eighth Amendment
Comments (6)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6
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Martyb @ 6/25/2012 4:43 PM
It is a sad state of affairs when we live in a time when the Youth of America (those under 18) could face a life behind bars with no hope of parole.
That being said, it's better that those few that qualify under my opening statement be kept locked up where they cannot commit the same crime over and over again and harm society.
Bad ruling from the 9 Supremes...
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Frank @ 6/25/2012 7:46 PM
You out of touch Judges on the Supreme Court tell that to the Dad who lost his son in Boston a few years ago by two scumbag teen killers. They pull this poor kid of his moped in shot him dead. This is why I support the death penalty for shooting LEO's and the unfortunate innocent bystander. Welcome to the wild west!
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Mike @ 6/26/2012 3:32 AM
So, does this mean we have to let the DC sniper out soon? I mean putting a "kid" in jail for the rest of his life would be a little hash given the fact he was just randomly murdering innocent people and paralyzing communities for a couple of months. Hey I got a great idea, let's make them register like sex offenders when they get out. We all know how well that works.............God help us!
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TRAYS @ 6/26/2012 1:24 PM
Mike, it will be interesting to see if the D.C. Sniper's lawyer attempts to apply thei "new" ruling to his client. As for the teen that shoots someone, is johnny being a "good person" while his commiting the act? I think not! Pray for them while they are in the squad car..
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Bob@Az. @ 6/26/2012 6:58 PM
Another great decision from the insiped nine. They just don't get it that some are born pure evil and won't change. Too many of these "baby-faced" killers get out at 18 to kill again and again til someone takes them out. Lets thank the lawyers and judges who release these little darlings because "their just kids". Like the Menendez brothers....
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Dennis @ 6/26/2012 10:21 PM
keep in mind, the judge, in any state, can sentence the under 18 years of age minor to life without parole. The 5-4 decision was about any language requiring an automatic sentence. Nothing has truely changed, but it is now at the judges discretion. Most (not all) judges do the right thing....
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