Posts in 'Amicus Curiae'

Youth Tried as Adults
Maryland Court of Appeals •

At age 17, Brian Tate pled guilty to murder. Although Brian had dropped out of high school, had a mental health diagnosis, and a history

Solitary Confinement & Harsh Conditions
United States District Court, Southern District of California •

Ms. L. and her 7-year-old daughter, S.S., arrived at a United States Port of Entry near San Diego seeking asylum due to a fear of

Youth Interrogations & Access to Counsel
Ohio Supreme Court •

Thirteen-year old L.G. was arrested immediately after being questioned at his school by a school official in the presence of police during a joint investigation

Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP)
U.S. Supreme Court •

Juvenile Law Center, along with The Promise of Justice Initiative and Children and Family Justice Center, filed an amicus brief in support of Larry Newton’s

Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP)
U.S. Supreme Court •
Our brief urged the court to grant review in order to enforce its precedent recognizing the reduced culpability and heightened Eighth Amendment protections for youth, and declare a categorical bar on all life without parole sentences for juveniles. We argued that juvenile life without parole sentences are imposed in racially discriminatory ways that disproportionately punish Black boys.
Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP)
U.S. Supreme Court •

Karen Howell was convicted under the felony murder doctrine in Tennessee for her involvement with another juvenile and four adult co-defendants in the murder of

Youth Interrogations & Access to Counsel
Indiana Supreme Court •

D.Z., a public school student, was questioned as part of an investigation jointly undertaken by the school’s assistant principal and a police officer stationed at

Youth Interrogations & Access to Counsel
Ohio Supreme Court •

We argued that juvenile adjudications are insufficient "to alone sustain proof beyond a reasonable doubt of an element of [an adult felony]" because it contradicts the rehabilitative purpose of Ohio's juvenile justice system.

Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP)
Connecticut Supreme Court •

We argued that parole availability does not remedy a sentencing court's failure to give mitigating effect to the youth-related factors set forth in Miller.

Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP)
North Carolina Supreme Court •

We argued that Miller creates a presumption against sentencing juvenile offenders to life without parole.