Case: Roper v. Simmons (2005)
Rule of the Case: The decision in which the Supreme Court held that it is unconstitutional to impose capital punishment for crimes committed under the age of 18.
Facts: In Missouri, Christopher Simmons, age 17, made a plan to murder someone and bring along two of his friends, and one friend ended up dropping out. The plan was to break in and enter, tie up the victim, and toss the victim off a bridge. The case was brought to trial with exceeding evidence. Simmons confessed to the murder, videotaped reenactment of the crime, and testimony from Tessmer, the friend who backed out, that premeditation was involved. The jury decided a guilty verdict and the death sentence, which the trial court imposed. The case worked its way up the courts withholding the death sentence. They sentenced Simmons to life of imprisonment without parole. The state of Missouri appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case.
Issue: Is it considered unconstitutional for capital punishment to be inflicted on someone when the crime was committed while they were a juvenile?
Supreme Court Decision: A 5-4 decision that says it is considered unconstitutional for capital punishment to be sentenced on a juvenile.
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Justice Kennedy cited scientific research that basically found juveniles to be immature with not much sense of responsibility compared to an adult. They are found to have the most reckless behavior. Since they have already made laws and rules regarding maturity and responsibility, people under 18 aren’t able to vote, serve on juries, or marry without parental consent. Adolescences are also more vulnerable to peer pressure or any other negative