NCJ Number
107550
Date Published
1987
Length
256 pages
Annotation
This book explores several perspectives on the American experience with juvenile death sentences and executions, addressing the constitutionality issue, known juvenile executions, the cases of juveniles currently on death row, and prognosis for change.
Abstract
At least 281 children under age 18 have been executed in the United States since the 17th century. This book initially examines the legal issues involved, with attention to the lack of constitutional justification for the death penalty for juveniles and current State laws. Beginning with a 16-year-old boy hanged in Plymouth Colony for bestiality, the book surveys known juvenile executions, characteristics of the crimes involved, the offenders, the victims, the criminal processes, and the actual executions. The experience of a typical State, Ohio, is analyzed. While Ohio executed 19 juveniles from 1880 to 1956, it recently joined the growing ranks of States that prohibit the death penalty for crimes committed while under age 18. An examination of juvenile death sentencing practices in the 1980's examines the cases of the 33 juveniles on death row in late 1986. The declining sentencing rate in recent years is explored, as well as characteristics of the crimes, offenders, and victims in these cases. The author contends that society is rejecting the juvenile death penalties and the trend in law is away from them. Seven criteria are offered to guide future decisions about the continued viability of the death penalty for juveniles. Tables, footnotes, references, index.