Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Pros and cons on juveniles life without parole
Argumentative essays common core
Argumentive essays
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Facts: Evan Miller beat and robbed Cole Cannon (his neighbor). He was only fourteen years old when he and his friend Colby Smith committed the offense. On July 15, 2013, Miller and Smith illegal enter Mr. Cannon home looking for narcotics when they did not find any drugs they lifted baseball cards and left. Later on the same day both boys went back to Mr. Cannon home and robbed him while he was sleeping. Mr. Cannon woke up during the robbery and attacked Miller.
On Punishment and Teen killers In the fiction article “ On Punishment and Teen Killers” Jennifer Jenkins argues and reviews the position that the author has according debate about teens and crimes. She believes that a lot of teenager committed have serious crime. She’s also, argues that development brain are not reason for crime. She is also against advocates that are against the JLWOP.which means Juvenile Life Without Parole, At the beginning of the article she was youngest sister and her husband murdered in Chicago, offender who testified at his trial “ thrill kill” that he just want to “ see what it would feel like to shoot someone”.
This paper will study the case study of Roper Vs. Simmons in the juvenile death penalty and critical analysis of the Supreme court ruling. The article will also address various changes that have occurred as a result of this case with future suggestions of similar circumstances for the implementation of policies and court practices. Case Background Chris Simmons was only seventeen years old when he committed murder. Simmons planned with his friends how he would murder the victim by breaking into her house, robbing and typing the person up and finally throwing her down the bridge.
A comparison study of two murders in the state of Ms which are Jones v. State of Mississippi (2009) and Parker v. State of Mississippi (2011) and both of these cases have a lot in common. Brett Jones and Lester Parker are currently in jail for a heinous crime. Not only were they 15 years old juveniles doing the time but they both their grandfathers several times for different reasons and because of that they were charged with first and second degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole. Brett Jones Jr. v. State of Mississippi (2009) Brett Jones stabbed his 68 year old grandfather to death and was sentenced to life without parole but because he was a juvenile at the time he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole because his 8th amendment was violated.
So the court then deemed that capital punishment can’t be given to anyone under the age of 16 no matter what the crime is. Basically the Eighth Amendment was interpreted to have that no one under the age of 16 shall have the death sentence in the United States since it a cruel punishment to give to a minor. In addition, the next evidence brings up Penry v. Lynaugh. Johnny Paul Penry was a mentally disabled person who had the mental age of 7.
Simmons effectively affects the juvenile population and forbids state and federal governments from sentencing any offender who commits a crime under the age of eighteen to death. The death penalty in the case of juveniles is considered unconstitutional as it violates the Eight Amendment’s ban on cruel or unusual punishment (Gretey 565). This decision was arrived at due to scientific evidence that psychologically differentiates between juveniles and adults. Major differences between the age groups affirm that a minor should not be held to the same standards as an adult regarding punishment for crimes. The court concluded that the three crucial differences in maturity, predisposition to influences, and character traits between adults and children affect their accountability for crimes (O’Neill
On November 18, 1999, Kuntrell Jackson accompanied his older cousin, Travis Booker, and an older friend, Derrick Shields, to a video store after discussing robbing the store (Chang & Wang, 2012). Jackson waited outside of the store while Shields entered, pointed a shotgun at the clerk, and demanded money; Jackson entered shortly after, and while he was in the store Shields shot and killed the store clerk because she would not give him money and mentioned calling the police (Chang & Wang, 2012). After Shields shot the clerk, he left the store with Jackson and Booker; they did not steal anything from the store while they were inside, even after the clerk had been shot and killed (Chang & Wang, 2012). Nearly four years later, on July 19, 2003,
In the Supreme Court case Roper v. Simmons, I believe the way this case ended helped the youth of our country. It seems to me the execution of juveniles is completely cruel and as well violates the 8th and 14th amendments of the constitution. As well, I feel as if the brain and maturity of a minor is nowhere close to being developed fully, most researchers say the brain doesn’t fully develop until you're about the age of 25. I also believe that the execution of juveniles is completely inhumane due to not allowing the person to experience the maturity of being an adult and taking responsibility for your actions. Overall, juveniles are not ready to be brought into the big world yet, and there is nothing small about the punishment of execution.
For the past years there has been a debate on whether juveniles should be tried as life without parole or life with parole. In my opinion juveniles who commit first or second degree murder should not receive a mandatory sentence to life without parole. Although the juveniles are underage they are well informed of what’s right and what’s wrong, but some of them have difficulty understanding of what they are doing at the moment of the crime because they are angry and act before thinking clearly. I agree with the majority of supreme court justices who believe that mandatory life sentences are unconstitutional, unfair and inhumane because juveniles are immature, their brain is not completely developed, and they are unaware of long term impact
There are certain instances of juveniles being tried as adults and sometimes ending up getting a life sentence without a chance of parole. I find that pretty harsh because there have been some cases where the juvenile meant no harm, they were either confused or brought along by gang members and they end up being charged along with the gang members for just being with them when a crime goes down. I believe that juveniles do not deserve to be given a life sentence because for one they are still maturing, they can learn from their mistakes and make amends, we still have to combat crimes like intended murder committed by a juvenile with extreme punishments especially if they are well over the age of 16. In the article published by the New York Times on March 14, 2012 “Juveniles Don’t Deserve Life Sentences”, Garinger discusses that juveniles deserve a second chance since their brains are still developing.
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that it is immoral to give juveniles life sentences, even if they commit a crime as serious as murder, because it is a cruel and unusual punishment. This has been an issue in America as teenagers are often treated as adults in court due to a belief that their crimes warrant a harsh punishment. Many believe that these kids should not be given such major sentences because they are still immature and do not have the self control that adults do. I agree that juveniles do not deserve life sentences because they put less thought and planning into these crimes and they often are less malicious than adults. The article “Startling Finds on Teenage Brains” explains that the teenagers lose brain tissue that is responsible for self control and impulses (Thompson 7).
In today’s society of the United States Supreme Court has verified that vicious crimes committed by juveniles should always be punished with a life sentence in prison because of the violation of the Eighth Amendment. The Eighth Amendment is stated,” Prohibiting the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.” Life in prison without parole will cause juveniles to fail there own trust, immaturity, and will stay in prison with no help. Is it the juveniles fault of ending up in prison? Is it there daily life style at home?
Steven, Your comment on the maximum sentence a juvenile homicide offender can receive is incarceration until he/ she is 21 years of age has kept me studying. I continue to wonder why to release someone after say a few years for such violent acts; concerning, to say the least. I have also been researching the “juvenile life” sentence trying to get a better understanding of how these two issues are handled.
When people commit crimes, there should be disciplined no matter what. Juveniles need to learn that their behaviors have consequences. Why should kids be given any less of a punishment for committing the same crime? According to one author, “Taking a life is murder regardless of the age of the offender, and the penalties to be imposed must not discriminate. After all, the victim’s life will never be returned, and the family will permanently lose their loved one” (“7 Top Pros and Cons of Juveniles Being Tried As Adults”).
Juveniles Justice Juveniles who are criminals being sentenced to life without parole can be shocking to some people. I believe if a juvenile is able to commit a crime, then they are able to do the time. The article “Startling finds on Teenage Brains” talks about how the brain can be different from the time you are teens to the time you are an adult. After, considering both sides on juvenile justice it is clear that juveniles should face life without parole because they did the crime so they can do the time. Also I believe the juvenile’s age should not influence the sentence and the punishment give.