Amicus Brief in Support of Extending Parole Eligibility to Late Adolescents
The Sentencing Project joined neuroscience, psychology, and youth justice scholars and nonprofits, in urging the California Supreme Court to extend sentencing allowances for youth up to age 25.
Related to: Sentencing Reform, State Advocacy, Racial Justice
Brain science shows that late adolescents bear many of the same developmental traits as adolescents under 18, including ongoing maturation and diminished culpability. In light of that research, The Sentencing Project joined neuroscience, psychology, and juvenile justice scholars and nonprofits, including the Juvenile Law Center, the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology, and the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center, in urging the California Supreme Court to extend sentencing allowances for youth up to age 25. Under current California law, individuals under 26 are designated as “youth offenders” and eligible for a “youth offender” parole hearing, including those serving life sentences. Late adolescents over 18 sentenced to life without parole, however, are excluded from receiving a “youth offender” parole hearing. Amici argue that all adolescents under 26 should be eligible for a “youth offender” parole hearing, including those sentenced to life without parole.
