Pennsylvania Supreme Court throws out life without parole sentence for juvenile

In so doing, the high court underscored a string of federal rulings that have revolutionized the way that juveniles who commit the most serious of crimes are treated. Pennsylvania led the nation in the number of juveniles serving life and Monday’s decision will have broad impact as their re-sentencings move forward.

“We are enormously grateful,” said Marsha Levick, chief counsel of the Juvenile Law Center of Philadelphia and a member of Batts’ legal team.