Commonwealth v. LaPlante

Juvenile Law Center signed onto an amicus letter with the Committee for Public Counsel Services and Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on behalf of Daniel LaPlante, who was sentenced to life with parole eligibility after 45 years for crimes committed as a juvenile. Our letter argued that Mr. LaPlante’s sentence is the functional equivalent of a de facto life sentence and therefore unconstitutional.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Mr. LaPlante’s sentence, finding that it is not disproportionate and does not constitute cruel or unusual punishment in violation of the Massachusetts Constitution.