Life Without Parole for Juveniles
analytical Essay
958 words
Supreme Court ruling Graham v. Florida (2010) banned the use of life without parole for juveniles who committed non-homicide crimes, and Roper v. Simmons (2005) abolished the use of the death penalty for juvenile offenders. They both argued that these sentences violated the 8th Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. While these landmark cases made great strides for the rights of minors passing through the criminal justice system, they are just the first steps in creating a juvenile justice system that takes into consideration the vast differences between adolescents and adults. Using sociological (Butler, 2010) and legal (Harvard Law Review, 2010) documents, this essay will explicate why the next such step to be taken is entirely eliminating the use of the life without parole sentence for juveniles, regardless of the nature of the crime being charged. In a modern Western society where there is significant amount of research done of rehabilitation and criminal justice reform, the practice of sentencing JLWOP (Juvenile Life Without Parole) seems outdated and primitive. There are a number of prominent human rights groups that advocate for the banning of the LWOP sentence for juvenile offenders. In his 2010 article for the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation titled ‘Extinguishing All Hope: Life-Without-Parole for Juveniles,’ Frank Butler breaks down the ethical arguments against the sentence from a social policy perspective. He uses a number of pertinent facts and dates to support and enhance his argument, but retains a clear and concise presentation style, making the document easy to read and comprehend on an analytical level. It is clear from his title that it is not an objective piece, but his opinion is supporte... ... middle of paper ... ...ing beckoned in with the 21st century. While U.S.’s JLWOP laws are inconsistent with many human rights treatises and with international law, it is more important for our policies to be based on a thorough understanding of the issue- the most essential being a separation of the processes for juvenile and adult criminal offenders. With an emphasis on rehabilitation for juvenile offenders, and the goal of encouraging maturity and personal development after wayward actions, the futures of many teens in the criminal justice system can become much more hopeful. Works Cited Butler, Frank (2010) ‘Extinguishing All Hope: Life-Without-Parole for Juveniles’, Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 49: 4, 273-292 “Criminal Law and Procedure -Eighth Amendment- Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentences: Graham v. Florida” (2009) Harvard Law Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2011.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the supreme court rulings in graham v. florida (2010) and simmons (2005) abolished the use of the death penalty for juvenile offenders violate the 8th amendment.
- Analyzes how frank butler's article, 'extinguishing all hope: life-without-parole for juveniles,' supports the ethical arguments against the sentence from a social policy perspective.
- Analyzes the harvard law review's 2010 "criminal law and procedure -eighth amendment- juvenile life without parole sentences: graham v. florida."
- Analyzes butler, frank's article, "extinguishing all hope: life-without-parole for juveniles", journal of offender rehabilitation, 49: 4, 273-292.
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In this essay, the author
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- Cites bishop, jeanne, connell, christian m., and johnson, robert. "murder most human: a case for a categorical ban of life-without-parole sentences."
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- Explains that the second argument against the juvenile death penalty was the mention of god. they argue that it is injustice whether it's a deterrent or not.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the supreme court has ruled not sentencing juveniles to life sentences in prison on june 25, 2012.
- Argues that the juvenile justice system should sentence these young delinquents to face a much harsher sentence by sending them to adult prisons.
- Explains that neuroscience has made tremendous progress in studying the adolescent brain, opening opportunities and raising challenges for using the knowledge to inform public policies.
- Explains steinberg's purpose for writing this informative article, is to inform its audience about when and how adolescents brain develops at four different stages.
- Argues that adolescent brain development studies show as adolescents grow older, they have more self-control over their thoughts, behavior, and actions. the government should not pick and choose which findings should be used to try juveniles.
- Explains that many civilians believe that juveniles are not being tried according to their heinous crimes. ashcroft believes that the government's primary responsibility should focus on keeping its citizens safe.
- Analyzes how linda j. collier, a lawyer and teacher who teaches courses on juvenile delinquency at cabrini college in radnor, pennsylvania, states that due to errant juveniles age they don’t receive the appropriate consequences towards them.
- Opines that sending children as young as fifth graders to an adult prison would not be a reasonable choice.
- Explains that the government and the juvenile justice system have to consider many factors when sentencing a young juvenile into prison.
- Opines that if the juvenile justice system places juveniles with a tougher crowd, older, more experienced violent adult criminals would lecture them how to become better at killing, stealing, and being more violent.
- Opines that the juvenile justice system should go back to its original goal of rehabilitate young offenders. parents state that they should do it for the children, and many congressmen have stated that our children are our future.
- Argues that the juvenile justice system should not give up on rehabilitating the adolescent, who didn't know any better, or got caught up in the moment.
- Concludes that the juvenile justice system should treat its young offenders until they're 18 and could be transferred to an adult prison.
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