DETROIT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — The Michigan Supreme Court will review the constitutionality of automatic life sentences for individuals aged 19 and 20 involved in major crimes such as murder. This move comes on the heels of the court’s 2022 decision, which deemed mandatory no-parole sentences for 18-year-olds unconstitutional under Michigan’s ban on “cruel or unusual” punishment. The court will now consider whether to extend this ruling to slightly older offenders.

According to the Associated Press, one of the main arguments in this debate centers on the notion that the human brain, particularly the areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control, continues to develop well into the mid-20s. 

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Several states have reexamined their sentencing laws for minors in recent years. Following a series of U.S. Supreme Court rulings starting in 2012, many states have banned life-without-parole sentences for young adults. Massachusetts, for example, raised the minimum age for such sentences from 18 to 21 earlier this year, ensuring that individuals under 21 cannot receive life-without-parole sentences. Similarly, California eliminated life-without-parole sentences for juveniles in 2017, allowing those previously sentenced to have their cases reviewed for possible resentencing. 

The cases under review come from Wayne and Oakland counties. Families affected by violent crimes and those with loved ones serving life sentences without parole are closely watching the court’s deliberations.

Advocates for criminal justice reform in Michigan argue that a shift towards more lenient sentencing for young adults could have long-term benefits. They point to the potential for rehabilitative programs to transform lives, reduce recidivism, and ultimately contribute to safer communities. 

Historically, Michigan has been at the forefront of criminal justice reform. This included the closure of several youth prisons and a shift towards community-based programs. The “Houses of Refuge” were established in Michigan, for instance, “to provide housing, education, and general rehabilitation for delinquent youth,” aiming to separate them from troubled home environments or the dangers of adult prison. However, these institutions often fell short of their rehabilitative goals, sometimes becoming abusive and oppressive environments. According to the website Crackdown, “It was not until the 1967 landmark Supreme Court case, In re Gault, that juveniles tried in delinquency proceedings were granted the right to due process.” 

More recently, in 2019, Michigan passed a “Raise the Age” law, which increased the age of juvenile court jurisdiction from 17 to 18, aligning with a national trend to treat younger offenders differently from adults.

As the Michigan Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in the coming months, the state awaits a decision that could reshape the future of sentencing for young adults.