NCJ Number
239954
Date Published
2012
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This annotated bibliography contains publications of recent case law, news stories, reports, and helpful Web sites on issues related to juveniles convicted as adults.
Abstract
Four listings pertain to relevant court decisions. One of these cases pertains to whether a sentence of life without parole for someone who was convicted of murder when he was a juvenile (14 years old) violates the U.S. Constitution. In a second case, the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited the imposition of a life sentence without the possibility of parole for non-homicide crimes committed while the defendant was a juvenile. A third case involved whether a life sentence without parole for someone who was convicted of murder when he was a juvenile (14 years old) violates the Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. The fourth case consists of expert testimony of Ruben Gur, a neuropsychologist, regarding the development of an adolescent brain and functioning. Six news stories address whether juveniles should be sentenced to life in prison, the importance of giving incarcerated juveniles a second chance in life, the impulsiveness characteristic of a teen's brain, and whether treating juveniles like adults benefits public safety. Ten listings are from law review and social science journal articles that address issues related to sentencing juveniles as adults. Fifteen listings are government reports related to policy perspectives on the processing of youth in adult courts, and 31 listings are policy papers from advocacy groups. Thirty-one Web site listings address issues relevant to the policy of processing youth as adults in the criminal justice system.