There are several important U.S. Supreme Court that had an impact on decisions relating to the treatment of juveniles. List three cases and analyze their impact had on the treatment of juveniles, both in and out of the courtroom

Question

Comment on how each of these cases is relevant and important to the treatment of juveniles.

Answer 1

Kentv.United States- Courts must provide the"essentials of due process"in juvenile proceedings.This important case signaledthe beginning of systematicU.S. Supreme Court review oflower-court practices indelinquency hearings
In re Gault- In hearings that could result incommitment to an institution,juveniles have four basic rights:Notice of charges, right to counsel, right to confront and to cross examinewitnesses, and protection against self-incrimination.
In re Winship- In delinquency matters the state mustprove its case beyond a reasonabledoubt. Prior to Winship, a lower standard of evidence had been required by juvenile courts in some states—a mere preponderance of the evidence.
McKeiver v. Pennsylvania- Jury trials are not constitutionallyrequired in juvenile cases. At thesame time, the Court establishedthat jury trials are not prohibited forjuveniles.Today, 12 states allow for jury trialsin serious cases involving juveniles.
Breed v. Jones - Severely restricted the conditions underwhich transfers from juvenile to adultcourts may occur. In this case Joneswas adjudicated delinquent in juvenilecourt and then transferred to adultcourt, resulting in double jeopardy.Today, transfers to adult court, if theyare to occur, must be made before anadjudicatory hearing in juvenile court.
Schall v. Martin- The Court overturned lowercourt decisions banning thepretrial detention of juveniles,and held that such detentionmay be necessary for theprotection of the childand of others.
Roper v. Simmons- The U.S.Supreme Court ruled thatage is a bar to execution when theoffender commits a capital crimewhen he is younger than age 18 . TheCourt held that "even a heinouscrime committed by a juvenile" is not"evidence of irretrievably depravedcharacter." Roper invalidated thecapital sentences of 72 death-rowinmates in 12 states.
Graham v. Florida - The Eighth Amendment's ban oncruel and unusual punishmentsprohibits the imprisonment of ajuvenile for life without the possibilityof parole as punishment for a crimenot involving homicide.
Miller v. Alabama- Mandatory life-without-parole sentencesfor individuals 17 or younger convicted ofhomicide violate the Eighth Amendment.