Significant Decision - Supreme Court Bans Execution of Juvenile Offenders

In a 5-4 decision yesterday, the United States Supreme Court decided that the Eight Amendment prohibits the execution of person who committed a crime while under the age of 18.  The court concluded that a young offender should not be held morally responsible for his actions to the same degree as an adult.  "From a moral standpoint, it would be misguided to equate the failings of a minor with those of an adult, for a greater possibility exists that a minor's character deficiencies will be reformed," Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote in the opinion for the court.

The United States has been isolated from most of the rest of the international community on the issue.  Our determination," Kennedy added, "finds confirmation in the stark reality that the United States is the only country in the world that continues to give official sanction to the juvenile death penalty."

As of yesterday, 20 states, including Virginia, permitted the death penalty for offenders younger than 18. That is five fewer than allowed the practice in 1989.

By far the largest impact of yesterday's ruling will be felt in Texas, where there are 29 juvenile offenders awaiting execution, and Alabama, where there are 14. No other state has more than five.

The name of the case is Roper v. Simmons