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Roper V. Simmons Case Study

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The case of Roper v. Simmons. 543 U.S. 551 (2005).

Christopher Simmons, in 1993 entered the home of Shirley Crook and robbed her, he then tied her up, took her to a nearby bridge and threw her off. Simmons was later arrested for murder. A trial was held and, Simmons was found guilty of all charges. Simmions was then sentenced to death by the court. Christopher Simmons appealed the decision of the court for execution due to his status as a minor he was 17 years old at the time of the robbery and murder. The current minor law at the time stated that juveniles below the age of 18 are not subject to certain criminal punishments. But in Stanford v Kentucky 1989 the court said that minors can be subject to the death sentence only if the charges warrant execution (Roper V Simmons - Kids | Laws.com (n.d.). …show more content…

Supreme Court, Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005), stated that under the Eighth Amendment, the rejection of the requirement of the death penalty on juvenile offenders under 18 is required. Capital punishment should be limited to offenders that commit the most heinous crimes making them deserving of execution. Three general differences between juveniles under 18 and adults demonstrate that juvenile offenders cannot with reliability be classified among the worst offenders; Juveniles’ susceptibility to immature and irresponsible behavior means, their irresponsible behavior is not as morally inexcusable as an adult and in the case of Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U. S. 815, 835. A juvenile’s vulnerability and the relative absence of control over their immediate surroundings mean juveniles have a better claim than adults do, to be forgiven for the lack of ability to escape the negative influences of their environment. Should a juvenile commits a heinous crime, the State can take away some of the most basic freedoms, but the State cannot take his life and his opportunity to gain maturity and understanding of his own

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