Posts in 'Amicus Curiae'

Argued that certification hearing deprived Appellant of due process, that juveniles are particularly susceptible to the pressure and coercion that are central to felony-murder and manslaughter, and that juvenile developmental status is relevant to constitutional analysis.

Argued that a New Jersey statute governing transfer of juveniles to adult court, and the Attorney General Waiver Guidelines, as applied, violated a juvenile’s right to due process, and violated the separation of powers clause of the New Jersey State Constitution.

Argued that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles convicted of homicide offenses are unconstitutional.

Argued that failure of the court to on its own raise or otherwise address the issue of competency violates the due process clause of the United States Constitution as well as Indiana law.

Argued that a sentence of 110 years to life (three consecutive life-terms) for a non-homicide offense committed as a juvenile violates the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Graham v. Florida. 

Argued that the highly intrusive search of a fifteen-year old public alternative school student, which occurred on school grounds, was unconstitutional, violating her right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures. 

Argued that sentences of life without the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of homicide are unconstitutional.

Argued that sentences of life without the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of homicide are unconstitutional.

Argued for a specific jury instruction addressing the susceptibility of a 16-year-old to duress because of his level of maturity and limited decision-making capacity.

Surveyed statutes and social science literature in a lawsuit involving the interpretation of the “reasonable efforts” to preserve and reunite families provision of the Adoption and Assistance Child Welfare Act.