Describe the ramifications of the Graham v. Florida in 2010 for juvenile court processing.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In July 2003, Terrance Graham attempted to rob a barbeque restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 16 years old at the time and was charged and convicted as an adult with armed burglary and attempted armed robbery. He served a year and was released, but he was arrested 6 months later for armed home robbery. He was then convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He appealed to the District Court of Appeal of Florida, stating the imposition of life without parole for a juvenile convicted of a nonhomicidal crime was unconstitutional on its face and was cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Graham’s claim. The decision indicated it was a violation of the Eighth Amendment to sentence a juvenile to life imprisonment without parole if convicted of a crime other than homicide. At that time, the majority of states had legislation allowing for life sentences without parole for nonhomicidal crimes. In February 2012, Graham was resentenced to a 25-year term in prison.