Editorial, Los Angeles Times, Jan. 4, 2011
The woman who killed her pimp as a teen but turned her life around in prison was granted clemency. A bill in the state Senate would allow similar leniency for juvenile offenders.
The Daily Journal, San Mateo County, Jan. 4, 2011
The last-minute sentence commutation of a woman serving life without parole for killing her pimp at age 16 has given a Peninsula state senator hope this is the year California abolishes the absolute term for all juvenile offenders.
Editorial, Ventura County Star, Dec. 10, 2010
Last August, the California Assembly failed to pass legislation that would allow for the review of cases involving juveniles sentenced to life without parole, potentially resulting in a new sentence. The Star supported the legislation, the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act, and believed the Assembly made a mistake letting it die during the final days of the session. Now, the members have a second chance to get it right.
Editorial, Los Angeles Times, Jan. 14, 2010
California may end the practice of sentencing some juvenile criminals to life without parole.
Editorial, San Francisco Chronicle, June 1, 2009
One of California's most senseless practices, in its waste of tax dollars and human capability, is a law that allows juvenile offenders to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Editorial, Los Angeles Times, April 30, 2009
The state sentences children as young as 14 to life without parole. A state Senate bill would bring some sanity to the situation.
The Assembly Public Safety Committee has approved SB 399, which would give juveniles sentenced to life without parole the opportunity to have their cases reconsidered after serving 10 years. A court could then reduce the sentence to 25 years with the possibility of parole.
There is growing public awareness that is it unjust to hold juvenile offenders to the same standard of blame as adults. Scientific research shows that youth do not have the same capacity as adults to use reasoned, mature judgment, or to control impulsive behavior.
For complete media coverage of Juvenile Life Without Parole and other NCYL issues, click here.
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