Michigan Bans Mandatory Life Sentences For Young Murderers

TheMichiganSupremeCourtonThursdayruledthatmandatorylifesentenceswithoutthepossibilityofparolefor19-year-oldsand20-year-oldsconvictedofmurderareunconstitutional. WhyItMattersThecourt’sdecisionexpandsona2022rulingthatbannedsuchsentencesfor18-year-olds.Itmeansthathundredsofpeoplewillbeeligibletoreturntocourtstoaskforashortersentenceandachanceforfreedom. Michiganwasamongonly16statesthatimposemandatorylifetermsonanyoneconvictedoffirst-degreemurderwhowasover18,accordingtotheMacArthurJusticeCenter.Since2021,courtsorlawmakersinWashingtonstate,IllinoisandMassachusettshaveprohibitedlifesentencesforpeopleunder21ormadeparoleopportunitiesavailable. TheMichiganHallofJustice,hometotheMichiganSupremeCourtisseenonWednesday,May24,2023,inLansing,Michigan. TheMichiganHallofJustice,hometotheMichiganSupremeCourtisseenonWednesday,May24,2023,inLansing,Michigan. CarlosOsorio/APPhoto WhatToKnowIna5-2opinion,thecourtsaidmandatorylifesentencesforpeop