Clemency Hearing Raises the Question of Whether Massachusetts’ Courts Are Ready to Extend the Prohibition on LWOP Sentences Beyond Eighteen
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Northeastern University Law Review Online Forum
Abstract
This article explores the growing debate in Massachusetts surrounding the extension of the prohibition on life without parole (LWOP) sentences for individuals beyond the age of eighteen. The discussion is catalyzed by a recent clemency hearing, which raises critical questions about the state's readiness to align with emerging scientific evidence on brain development and evolving standards of decency. The article examines the legal and ethical implications of extending juvenile protections to “emerging adults” aged 18 to 25, highlighting the potential for significant shifts in the state's criminal justice policies. It also reviews the current legal landscape, the arguments presented during the clemency hearing, and the broader national and international trends that may influence future decisions by Massachusetts courts.
Publication Date
10-1-2021
Recommended Citation
Stevie Leahy, Clemency Hearing Raises the Question of Whether Massachusetts’ Courts Are Ready to Extend the Prohibition on LWOP Sentences Beyond Eighteen, Northeastern U. L. Rev. Online Forum (October 1, 2021).
Creative Commons License
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