ipl-logo

Christopher Simmons Case Study

778 Words4 Pages

Christopher Simmons, 17 at the time, was condemned to death in 1993 for murder. He exhausted all of his state and federal appeals up until 2002, meaning they were all rejected. In 2002, the Missouri Supreme Court granted Simmons a stay of execution while the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Atkins v. Virginia, a case that was held on the execution of the mentally disabled. “When the Supreme Court decided Atkins v. Virginia in 2002 (barring executions for the mentally disabled), Simmons filed a new petition. He argued that the Eighth Amendment rationale of Atkins should also bar the execution of juveniles” (Legal Dictionary, n.d.). Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision, it was decided that executing the mentally impaired abused the Eighth and …show more content…

Simmons plotted this crime with some friends, who were also juveniles under age at the time. However, one of Simmons’ friends excluded himself from the plot to kill (murder), steal (burglarize), and destroy (a family). “He brought two younger friends into the plot. On the night of the murder, one friend opted out of the plan. Simmons and the remaining friend broke into the victim’s home, bound her with duct tape, drove to a bridge, and threw her over the bridge into the river below” (Legal Dictionary, n.d.). Even though Simmons confessed to committing those acts, he also reenacted it out for the police as they recorded Simmons’ account as to what happened. “They read him his Miranda rights. Simmons waived his right to an attorney and agreed to answer questions. After less than two hours of interrogation, Simmons confessed to the murder and agreed to perform a videotaped reenactment at the crime scene” (American Bar, …show more content…

The United States is the only country in the world that gives official sanction to the execution of juvenile offenders. Although international norms do not govern our laws, they are instructive to the Court” (Legal Dictionary, n.d.). “The 2005 Roper v. Simmons ruling made persons under the age of 18 the third category of persons, in addition to those who are insane and those who suffer from mental retardation, to be excluded from a sentence of capital punishment” (Elrod & Ryder, 2014). References American Bar. (2005, March 1). Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/events/youth_at_risk/ROPER-v-Simmons.authcheckdam.pdf Capital Punishment in Context. (n.d.). Roper v. Simmons 543 U.S. 551 (2005). Retrieved from https://www.capitalpunishmentincontext.org/resources/casesummaries/roper?destination=node%2F46 Elrod, P., & Ryder, R. S. (2014). Juvenile justice: a social, historical, and legal perspective (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Legal Dictionary. (n.d.). Roper v Simmons. Retrieved from

Show More
Related

The Comparison Between Daryl Atkins And William Jones

1194 Words | 5 Pages

The U.S. Supreme Court argued that execution of an individual with an intellectual disability is inconsistent with the “evolving standards of decency test that marks the progress of a maturing society.” The Court held that there was a “national consensus” forbidding execution of the intellectually disabled from the fact that 18 states of the 38 states that permit capital punishment had recently enacted legislation barring execution of the intellectually disabled. The U.S. Supreme Court in Atkins observed that the execution of intellectually disabled criminals in the states that permitted it was no longer common and noted that the practice of such executions “has become truly unusual” and that a “national consensus” against it was emerging. This was evident in the public reaction and national attention

Read More

Stanford Vs Kentucky Case Study

469 Words | 2 Pages

In 2005 the Roper V. Simmos case led to the death penalty to push to the age of 18 years old. The main focus around the Stanford V. Kentucky case was what would be the final punishment for Kevin Stanford, of the death of his victim Barbel Poore. The date was January 7, 1981, Kevin Stanford was 16 years old when he committed the murder of Barbel Poore.. encyclopedia.com Kevin and his accomplice committed a robbery together at Checker Gasoline station, in Jefferson County, Kentucky.(oyez.org)

Read More

Brumfield V. Cain Case Study

737 Words | 3 Pages

Caption: Brumfield v. Cain, 576 U. S. ____ (2015). In this case, Brumfield, the petitioner, wants the United States Supreme Court to review a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. Facts: Kevan Brumfield was convicted of murder of Betty Smothers, and was sentenced to death by a Louisiana court. This court decision was made before ruling that the 8th Amendment prohibits execution of the intellectually disabled under Atkins v. Virginia. Using the Atkins Mandate, in State v. Williams (2001), the Louisiana Supreme Court decided a hearing must take place to decide if Williams was actually intellectually disabled.

Read More

Roper V. Simmons Case Study

648 Words | 3 Pages

Roper v. Simmons, the facts, issues, and court holding on this cause is about a 17 year old boy who was arrested for murder. Christopher Simmons, who was 17 when he was arrested for the murder of Shirley Crook. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Christopher Simmons was accused of burglary and murder. Also it was said two of his friends helped him.

Read More

US 304 Atkins Vs. Virginia (2002)

1099 Words | 5 Pages

536 U.S. 304. Atkins vs. Virginia (2002). Atkins vs. Virginia (2002) was a six to three Supreme Court decision ruling that people determined to be mentally retarded are categorically excluded from capital punishment. They were excluded because executing such offenders would violate the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines impose, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”. Atkins was convicted of abduction, armed robbery, and capital murder.

Read More

Supreme Trial Of Christopher Simmons

2281 Words | 10 Pages

But the supreme court of missouri appealed the sentence. Because the supreme court of missouri appealed the sentence, the supreme court eventually heard the case. Which brought the case all of the publicity/popularity that it has now. Eventually, in a 5-4 opinion, delivered by Justice Anthony Kennedy in March 2005, The supreme court ruled that Christopher Should not have been charged with death as an adolescent/minor.

Read More

Burning Down The House Summary

610 Words | 3 Pages

The book Burning Down the House: The End of Juvenile Prison, by Nell Bernstein is a compelling expose on the inherent evil of juvenile detention facilities. In her eye-opening account of the danger that lies within locking up this nation’s youth, Bernstein utilizes a plethora of rhetorical strategies to urge her audience to recognize and act on her claim. In writing this account on the heinousness of juvenile detention centers and why the system as a whole must be reformed, Bernstein uses personal cause and effect examples, studies and statistics, as well as concrete refutations to advocate the world for change. Bernstein starts her argument by providing readers with personal examples of the effects juvenile detention centers had on a handful of the kids she interviewed. Her first example briefly narrates how Jared, an adolescent many would

Read More

Roper V. Simmons Essay

872 Words | 4 Pages

The most important issue that must be addressed in this case is the principle of the “evolving standards of decency” and the uses of a national consensus. The “evolving standards of decency” were developed by Trop v. Dulles and have been implemented in one way or another in all of the precedents dealing with “cruel and unusual” punishment. It is important to treat these principles as an important aspect of “cruel and unusual” punishment jurisprudence, therefore turning from these set of principles would be foolish and a disregard for every precedent. However, it is important to acknowledge that each case satisfies the standards by using a different method; some use the presence or lack of state legislature as a judgment of consensus while others look at foreign countries.

Read More

Roper V. Simmons Case Of 2005

827 Words | 4 Pages

Introduction In response to question one of unit 4, I will discuss the facts, issues, as well as court holdings referencing the Roper v. Simmons case of 2005. Discussion The Roper v. Simmons case is noted for being one of the most significant cases in the history of the juvenile court system as it abolished capital punishment for offenders under the age of eighteen in the United States (Death Penalty Information Center, n.d.). This case was argued on October 13, 2004, and a decision was reached by the United States Supreme Court on March 1, 2005. The case referenced the sentencing of Christopher Simmons to death for a crime he committed at the age of seventeen (Cornell University Law School, n.d.).

Read More

Summary Of The Penry Vs. Lynaugh Case

1119 Words | 5 Pages

As such, the case went to the Supreme Court with two questions: should the jury consider mitigating evidence presented and is it the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause under the Eighth Amendment to execute an intellectually disabled

Read More

In The Case Of Atkins V. Virginia, Daryl Atkins

671 Words | 3 Pages

The interpretation of the Eighth Amendment has been changed throughout history in terms of who receives the death penalty, why it is applied, and how it is carried out. In the case, Atkins v. Virginia, Daryl Atkins was sentenced to death, but later was found to have a mental deficiency. When taken to a higher court, the defendant used the case Penry v Lynaugh as a precedent which contributed to the final 6-3 decision favoring Atkins. This illustrates that any person that commits a crime that is usually ruled as a death sentence, but has a mental deficiency, cannot be sentenced to death.

Read More

Death Penalty Violate The 8th Amendment Essay

700 Words | 3 Pages

It’s Not working out. By:Taija Jones. The 8th amendment says “Excessive bail shall not be required, Nor excessive fines imposed, Nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted” . With that being said if the 8th amendment applies for cruel punishments of death penalties then why is it still happening.

Read More

Pros And Cons Of Juvenile Life Without Parole

1528 Words | 7 Pages

Crimes are happening around us whether we pay attention to them or not. Those crimes as dangerous as murder are committed by all ages but should younger criminal in their juvenile age received the same punishment as older criminals. On June 25, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that juveniles committed murder could not be sentenced to life in prison because it violates the Eighth Amendment.(On-Demand Writing Assignment Juvenile Justice) Advocates on the concurring side believes that mandatory life in prison is wrong and should be abolish. However, the dissenting side believe that keeping the there should be a life in prison punishment for juvenile who commit heinous crime regardless of their age.

Read More

Juvenile Crime Annotated Bibliography

1043 Words | 5 Pages

Annotated bibliography Childress, S. (2016, June 2). More States Consider Raising the Age for Juvenile Crime. Retrieved from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/more-states-consider-raising-the-age-for-juvenile-crime/ More states are considering to raising the age for juvenile crimes before being tried as adult because young offender's mental capacity. The idea is to cut the cost of incarcerate young offender in adult prison and ensure offenders to receive proper education and specialized care to change their behavior. Putting children in adult prison does not deter crime.

Read More

Essay On Juvenile Delinquents As Adults

338 Words | 2 Pages

Prior to 1899 in the United States, children who committed a criminal offense were tried and punished as adults. Children were being institutionalized with adult criminals where they were picking up negative influences preparing them for a life of crime. Progressive and social change demanded that children be protected and educated instead and therefore a separate court system for juveniles was subsequently established to address this problem. It has since being argued that juvenile courts have abandoned their role to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents and should be abolished.

Read More

More about Christopher Simmons Case Study

Open Document