Legal Docket

Argued that prosecuting a minor under a strict liability statute and shifting the burden to the minor to prove consent without the opportunity to confront his accuser at the subsequent  ‘consent’ hearing under the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act violates the minor’s due process rights.

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 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 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 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 a life without parole sentence for felony murder violates the United States Constitution as well as international law.