Immature Minds in a “Maturing Society”

Following the 20th anniversary of the Roper v. Simmons decision that ruled the death penalty unconstitutional for youth under the age of 18, the Death Penalty Information Center released a report on the latest science of adolescent brain development and evolving societal standards that recognize the need for heightened legal protections for 18- to 20-year-olds. This report covers persistent racial disparities in the use of the death penalty, particularly as applied to 18- to 20-year-olds, and calls for sentencing relief for young adults based on their youthfulness. This report offers an overview of the developmental jurisprudence, racial disparities in sentencing, and the latest science on the developmental realities of emerging adults. While this resource is primarily focused on the adult system, it highlights the importance of advocating for heightened legal protections based on adolescent development research for youth defenders to further advance in juvenile court.