Sentencing and punishment for juvenile crime is a complex issue.
Supreme Court cases have addressed the constitutionality of juvenile sentences.
Key Supreme Court Cases
Roper v. Simmons (2010)
Decision: It is unconstitutional to impose the death penalty on individuals for crimes committed before age 18.
Implication: No juvenile can receive the death penalty.
Graham v. Florida (2010)
Decision: Juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without parole for non-homicide crimes.
Rationale: Such sentences constitute cruel and unusual punishment for juveniles.
Court's Reasoning
Juveniles possess lesser moral culpability compared to adults.
Therefore, juveniles are viewed as less deserving of the harshest punishments, such as the death penalty and life imprisonment without parole.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court rulings reflect a shift towards more lenient sentencing for juvenile offenders, recognizing their developmental differences from adults.