In February of 2012, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Michigan filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine Michigan citizens who were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes committed when they were minors.
This lawsuit challenged a Michigan law requiring that children as young as 14 who are charged with certain felonies be tried as adults and, if convicted, sentenced without judicial discretion to life without parole. Judges and juries are not allowed to take into account the fact that children bear less responsibility for their actions and have a greater capacity for change, growth and rehabilitation than adults.
In a ruling issued today, the court declared that all prisoners in Michigan who committed crimes as children and were sentenced to life now have a right to parole. Additionally, the court correctly held that the Michigan statute that condemns youth to life without parole violates the 8th Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
The Court also recognized that the right to parole must provide a meaningful opportunity for release based on a individual's demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation. In the coming months, we look forward to responding to the Court's direction to address what procedures must be in place to guarantee a full, fair, and meaningful opportunity for parole for all individuals serving mandatory life sentences for crimes committed as children.
 "We are railroaded by an adult system that isn't equipped to properly handle juveniles." |
 "I didn't know what was going on . . . . Through the trial I just kind of sat there." |
 While in prison, Henry completed his high school education, has earned vocational qualifications, and has exhausted all available programs and resources. |
| Learn more about the rest of our clients >> | ||
