Argued that the Oregon Appellate Court's interpretation of the state's juvenile transfer statute was so narrow that virtually all cases for youth aged 12 -14 will qualify for transfer to adult criminal court.
We argued that an aggregate sentence of 96 years for second degree murder under a theory of complicity is a nonhomicide crime under Graham because it does not require that a defendant kill or intend to kill, and is the functional equivalent of life without parole because it fails to provide a “meaningful opportunity to obtain release.”
Argued that placing the words “sex offender” on juvenile's driver’s license imposes stigma and restrictions in violation of procedural due process, as well as infringes reputation rights which are expressly protected by the Louisiana Constitution.
Argued that sentencing juveniles to extreme term-of-years sentences deprives them of a meaningful and realistic opportunity to obtain release and is thus unconstitutional pursuant to Graham v. Florida.
Argued that the U.S. Supreme Court's ban on mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles in Miller should apply retroactively to inmates like Mr. Martinez and Mr. Vallejo, who were sentenced prior to the Miller ruling. The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued an opinion on October 16, 2015.
Argued that by imposing registration as a violent offender on juveniles without consideration of the distinguishing characteristics of youth or a youth’s individualized circumstances, Illinois’ Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act (VOYRA) violates both Illinois and federal constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process.
Argued that the California Supreme Court should adopt a presumption in favor of immaturity and against imposing life without parole upon juvenile offenders.
Argued that the U.S. Supreme Court's ban on mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles in Miller should apply retroactively to inmates like Vigil, who was sentenced prior to the Miller ruling.
Argued that the U.S. Supreme Court's ban on mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles in Miller should apply retroactively to inmates like Griffin, who was sentenced prior to the Miller ruling.
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