JLC filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief in a California appeals court seeking the reversal of the functional equivalent of a life sentence without parole for a 17-year-old (Mariano Diaz). Diaz received a sentence of 75 years following his conviction for attempted murder. In this brief, and in other recent amicus briefs, JLC argued that life sentences imposed on juveniles violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishments, analogous provisions of the California Constitution and international law tenets binding on the United States. Diaz’s case is particularly notable—and the severe sentence particularly harsh—because the victims suffered no serious injury. Moreover Diaz was a juvenile with no criminal record, and was described as “scared” and as a “young kid” in a confrontation with two much larger men. In light of these facts, JLC’s brief argues that Diaz’s sentence is disproportionate to the offense and violates the state, federal and international law provisions noted above. A decision in the case is expected later this year.