How Long Is a Life Sentence? For Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, A Philosophical Quandary.

In fact, all sides in the case seem to agree that 50 years is indistinguishable from life without parole. But Felder’s advocates, from the Defender Association of Philadelphia and Juvenile Law Center, argue that it would have to be rolled back to 20 to 25 years to constitute a non-life sentence.

Felder’s advocates, including Marsha Levick of Juvenile Law Center, argue that those laws reflect an emerging standard around the country that the court should take into consideration.

Levick herself is reluctant to state a number. “It’s not about quantity of years; it’s about quality of life,” she said.