Washington Supreme Court Rules Life in Prison Without Parole for Juveniles is Unconstitutional

Washington Supreme Court Ruling on Juvenile Life Without Parole

In a landmark ruling, the Washington Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to sentence a juvenile to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court reasoned that juveniles are less culpable than adults and that they have more potential for rehabilitation.

The court’s decision is a significant victory for juvenile justice advocates. It means that juveniles who commit serious crimes will still be held accountable, but they will also have the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves and return to society.

The decision is also a reminder that the criminal justice system should treat juveniles differently than adults. Juveniles are still developing, and they have more potential for rehabilitation than adults. The criminal justice system should reflect this reality.

You can read the entire opinion here:

https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/1008732.pdf

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