NCJ Number
92859
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-February 1984) Pages: 5-33
Date Published
1984
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Whether juveniles convicted of murder should be, or constitutionally can be, executed for their crimes is a question almost certain to provoke strong and emotional rhetoric from both proponents and opponents.
Abstract
A middle ground on this issue is inherently illusive. This article seeks to put the subject of capital punishment for juveniles in perspective and provide, if not a definitive answer, then a framework from which conclusions can be rationally drawn, divested of the rhetorical baggage that has burdened this issue so far. The first part of this article discusses the decision in Eddings v. Oklahoma and its possible ramifications for future death penalty cases involving juvenile defendants. The second part discusses societal attitudes toward capital punishment for juveniles. The last section focuses on the application of the Eighth Amendment to capital cases involving juveniles. (Publisher abstract)