Maryland's highest court upholds juvenile life sentences
Source: Associated Press
Updated 2:41 pm CDT, Thursday, August 30, 2018
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland's highest court has upheld life sentences for juveniles.
The Court of Appeals ruled 4-3 that Maryland law provides a juvenile offender serving a life sentence with a "meaningful opportunity" to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation. In its ruling Wednesday, the court cited state law, parole commission regulations and an executive order by Gov. Larry Hogan.
Maryland's parole commission makes recommendations about parole, but the governor has the final decision — a feature that distinguishes Maryland's parole system from most other states.
The ruling doesn't prevent individual inmates from suing the state for failing to provide the meaningful opportunity required under the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Maryland-s-highest-court-upholds-juvenile-life-13194484.php