Justice Erodes At Grass Roots As Federal Aid Wanes

On June 25, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the mandatory life sentencing of juveniles without the possibility of parole violated the eighth amendment’s “cruel and unusual punishment” clause. Not only did this further the distinction between juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system, but it also sparked debate regarding whether or not the decision should be applied retroactively to all defendants who received mandatory life sentences without parole.

On June 25, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the mandatory life sentencing of juveniles without the possibility of parole violated the eighth amendment’s “cruel and unusual punishment” clause. Not only did this further the distinction between juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system, but it also sparked debate regarding whether or not the decision should be applied retroactively to all defendants who received mandatory life sentences without parole. States such as Michigan with high numbers of juveniles enduring life sentences are finding it difficult to comply with the ruling as it is unclear whether the decision should be applied to future or past offenders, or both.