Tennessee Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Life Sentences for Juvenile Murderers

The Tennessee State Supreme Court said that mandatory life sentences for minors convicted of murder are unconstitutional, according to a recently decided case.

In a case called State of Tennessee v. Tyshon Booker No. E2018-01439-SC-R11-CD the state’s highest court says sentencing juveniles to life in prison for murders committed as minors is cruel and unusual punishment.

According to an opinion written by Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee, who recently made the news by announcing her upcoming retirement:

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