Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

California Supreme Court Rules Sentencing Juveniles 50 Years Or More Cruel And Unusual

  •  Ben Bradford 
Monday, February 26, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
  

California’s top court has ruled that sentencing juveniles to 50 years or more in prison violates the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

But a divided state Supreme Court did not decide what sentence would be constitutional.

The case involves two 16-year-olds convicted of kidnapping and rape at knife point. In 2012, a trial judge sentenced the teenagers to 50 and 58 years in prison, respectively.

Four of California’s seven top justices ruled that’s too long. They say juveniles must have a chance before the end of their lives to show they’ve matured and rehabilitated.

The opinion is largely based on a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which said juveniles can’t be sentenced to life in prison without opportunity for parole, unless they have committed homicide.

The state decision says 50-year-sentences that leave juveniles near the end of their lives constitute cruel and unusual punishment for the same reasons as the nation’s high court found.

In a dissenting opinion, the state’s chief justice and two others argue the U.S. Supreme Court decision did not intend a blanket ban on 50-year-sentences.

The state ruling requires the trial court to determine new sentences for the teenagers, but it does not delineate the length of juvenile sentences that are or are not appropriate.

The opinions also note that California has two new laws this year, which already allow earlier parole both for juvenile inmates who have served 25 years in prison and for prisoners who reach age 60 and have served 25 years.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 California Supreme Court

Ben Bradford

Former State Government Reporter

As the State Government Reporter, Ben covered California politics, policy and the interaction between the two. He previously reported on local and state politics, business, energy, and environment for WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Read Full Bio 

 @JBenBradford Email Ben Bradford

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Newsom, lawmakers vow to speed up gun control bills after Texas school shooting

May 25, 2022

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli and courtesy of Rafa Garcia

Three Democrats square off to represent Sacramento in the state Senate

May 23, 2022

Peter Barreras/AP Images for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

May 28, 2022

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: The COVID surge may be larger than reported

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: The COVID surge may be larger than reported

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.