Why Do Juveniles Deserve Life In Prison

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Steven Solis Mr. Cagley ERWC P.3 5 May 2017 Juvenile Justice The question in which juveniles deserve life in prison was answered on June 25, 2012 when the Supreme Court ruled that juveniles will not get life in prison because it breaks the eighth amendment of cruel and unusual punishment. To paraphrase, Justice Elena Kagan, who is writing for the majority, states that a mandatory life sentence without parole throws out the possibility of considering the effect of factors such as living situation and their social lives have on their behavior. However, four justices disagree with the rule, one of which is Justice Alito who states, “Even a 17 ½-year- old who sets off a bomb in a crowded mall or guns down a dozen students and teachers is a ‘child’ …show more content…

Out of anger, Tristen Kurilla choked Mrs. Novak with her cane and punched her to death after Mrs. Novak yelled at him. Tristen admitted to killing Mrs. Novak and when the police asked him if he intended to kill her he said, “No I was only trying to hurt her”. His mother Martha Virbitsky states that she “has had a lot of trouble with Tristen and that he has some mental difficulties.” She also adds that he’s been violent in the past. Knowing that he has some kind of mental issues that can make him go violent, the safest thing would be to keep him locked up for the safety of everyone. Mrs. Novak, even though she was at the end of her rope, died at the hands of a murderer who could not control his temper. Such cases as this should not be excused into the juvenile court …show more content…

During his trial his defense team had an odd argument. A psychologist that they hired said that Ethan’s actions were a product of affluenza which if the fault of his parents letting him do whatever he wants without consequences. The court judge later found him innocent and let him go. To quote Justice Elena Kagan, “..failure to appreciate risk and failures..” what she means by this despite what the juveniles have done life without is not a suitable punishment for murderers. In this case the lives of four people are not worth his freedom. This contradicts what Elena intends to accomplish with the majority ruling. Letting killers go free or getting very light sentences. Ethan continues on living while four people are

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