I posted a story a while back about the Supreme Court and the lack of attention that they receive in the media. I really like these stories because no matter what source you get the story from the information is the same. They do not have a bias either way its just a report of what our government is doing. When I was looking over some of the new cases they are hearing, one story caught my attention. Earlier this month they looked at the question "Does the imposition of a life sentence without parole on a juvenile convicted of a non-homicidal offense violate the 8th amendment's prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishment"?
Two Florida cases are currently under review. One is Joe Sullivan he was sentenced to life without parole at the age of 13 for raping an elderly woman and has been serving his sentence for 20 years. The second is Terrance Graham sentenced after committing armed robberies at 16 and 17 and he has been serving for 5 years. No one was killed in either these incidents.
Currently more that 2,000 juveniles are serving life without parole for murder throughout the country, and about 100 are serving for non homicide crimes. Many people think this punishment is to harsh for children. No other country has punishment this harsh for children.
Justice Kennedy said " From a moral standpoint it would be misguided to equate the failings of a minor with those of an adult, for a greater possibility exists that a minors character deficiencies will be reformed" Many of the people who agree with this say that after they have served some time and have finished their education they would be able to live a productive life.
The states want to retain their rights to punish how ever they see fit to keep the general population safe.
The courts have not issued a ruleing, but what do you think? Should people be held responsible for their actions at any age or should they get more slack because they are young? Do states have a responsibility to the children or the general population? Would it best to find more middle ground?
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