People v. Taylor (Mich. 2025)

On April 10, 2025, the Supreme Court of Michigan extended its 2022 decision in People v. Parks, which declared mandatory life without parole (LWOP) for 18-year-olds unconstitutional, to also apply to 19- and 20-year-olds. Relying on the state’s constitutional prohibition against “cruel or unusual punishment,” the Court found that mandatory LWOP for 19- and 20-years…

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#CommunitiesNotCages: Toolkit to Fight Detention and Deportations

From the introduction: “In response to the re-election of Trump and expected increasing attacks on immigrant communities, we have developed this live toolkit to help guide and support the work of organizations and individuals looking to fight detention expansion, support people in detention and fight deportations. Organizations and individuals should assess their capacity and determine…

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Fourth Amendment Toolkit for Organizations

From the Introduction: “On January 28, 2025, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (the Center) held a training on 4th Amendment Rights for Organizations to help empower advocates and organizations that support and work alongside immigrants so they can better protect themselves throughout the fight ahead. By shoring up best practices and preparation…

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Virtual Appearance Checklist

The Gault Center released a virtual appearance checklist to guide youth defenders through key considerations before seeking a virtual appearance of their client as a youth defense strategy. In recognition that there may be unique circumstances in which a young person may feel safer or more comfortable waiving their physical presence in court, this resource…

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State v. Mullins, 2025 UT 2 (Utah 2025)

From the introduction: “Morris Mullins pled guilty to aggravated murder and was sentenced to life without parole (LWOP). Because he was seventeen years old when he committed the crime, this is a juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentence. Now, at age forty and having already spent more than two decades in prison, Mullins challenges his…

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