Juvenile Justice Case

Juvenile Justice Justice Elena Kagan spoke for the majority of the supreme court, “Mandatory life without parole for a juvenile precludes consideration of his chronological age and its hallmark features—among them, immaturity, impetuosity, and failure to appreciate risks and consequences.” This was the ruling of the Supreme Court case on June 25, 2012. Juveniles are no longer allowed to be sentenced a life sentence without parole. The majority is correct, the underdeveloped, adolescent mind is still growing and cannot be compared to an adult’s. A major influence during childhood is the media. In today’s society, media is easily accessible with the click of a single button. There are a variety of shows and movies. There’s an unlimited source

Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel Brazill was charged with second-degree murder. He shot and killed his teacher, Barry Grunow. Brazill would have been charged with first-degree murder and a life sentence without parole; however, the jury claimed that Brazill’s immaturity was evident throughout the trial. The young teen constantly looked confused as to why he was there. He appeared often stunned and had the inability to give reason as to why he killed his teacher. Paul Thompson, a neurology professor at USC, started a research group to study the frequencies, patterns, and activities of the brain. His studies show that massive amounts of brain tissue are lost during these years. Tissues contain brain cells that help control impulse and self-control. This results in the frontal lobes, which manage violent passions, rash actions, and regulate emotions, stay immature throughout the teenage

They believe that heinous crimes committed should be tried the same, regardless of age. Heinous crimes are unacceptable and shall always be treated with severe punishment; however, life without parol is not a reasonable punishment for juveniles. Punishing juveniles without parole or a sense of rehabilitation takes away their life. It takes away their chance to learn and change, to mature and grow. Alonza Thomas was fifteen when he was charged with armed assault and robbery. Thomas was sentenced thirteen years in prison as an adult. During confinement, he was pressured to isolation for survival in prison because of how young he was. After struggling for thirteen years, Thomas was released. He saw a whole new world. There was no previous knowledge of society before he was imprisoned. Thomas had to learn everything a normal teen would, at the age of twenty-eight. He had no knowledge of a cell or how to drive. Adult classes had to be provided for him. Alonza Thomas had to learn how to fit into society once more. Adolescents who are convicted at a young age have increased chances of being released with a more violent, criminal-like mindset. Not all are as fortunate as