Juvenile Life Without Parole: One Step Closer to Abolition

Wednesday, July 11th
3:00pm - 4:15pm EST

On June 25, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued an historic ruling regarding the practice of sentencing juveniles to life without parole (JLWOP), holding that it is unconstitutional to sentence any child under age 18 to a mandatory life-without-parole sentence in homicide cases.
 
This ruling reflects a recognition by the Court that children are different from adults, and must be treated accordingly when facing sentencing.  A 2005 SCOTUS decision prohibited the death penalty for those under 18. In 2010, the Court struck down JLWOP sentencing for crimes that do not involve homicide.
 
This is a critical moment for organizers, litigators and affected communities seeking to end Juvenile Life Without Parole sentencing and for all those who care about securing human rights and social justice more broadly.
 
We are grateful to have leading advocates in the JLWOP reform movement share their insights and guidance:

• Bryan Stevenson, Equal Justice Initiative
• Jody Kent Lavy, Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
• Elizabeth Calvin, Human Rights Watch
• Leonard Noisette, Open Society Foundations

Conference line: (213) 416-6650
Access Code: 839632#

For briefing materials RSVP to Angela Kahres by July 6th at akahres@publicinterestprojects.org.