Maryland’s top court rejected a proposal to give circuit court judges discretion to reduce the life sentences of convicts who committed their crimes before age 25 and who have served at least 24 years in prison.

Tagged with: judicial discretion juvenile justice reform life sentences older prisoners recidivism

Maryland’s top court on Monday returned to the state judiciary’s rules committee a proposal to give circuit court judges discretion to reduce the life sentences of convicts who committed their crimes before reaching age 25 and who have served at ...

Tagged with: judicial discretion juvenile justice reform life sentences older prisoners recidivism

The Maryland Senate passed legislation Thursday night that would prohibit juveniles convicted of rape and murder from being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Senate Bill 494 would permit juveniles given lifetime sentences to become eligible ...

Tagged with: juvenile justice life sentences Miller v. Alabama

The Maryland Senate gave preliminary approval Wednesday to legislation that would prohibit murderers and rapists from being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole if they were juveniles when they killed or raped. The Senate could vote ...

Tagged with: juvenile justice life sentences Miller v. Alabama

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland governors would be stripped of the final say in parole decisions for inmates sentenced to life who have served 30 years in prison, under legislation being considered by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Senate Bill 121 is ...

Tagged with: governors life sentences parole reform

Maryland’s top court Wednesday put to work its landmark August decision upholding the constitutionality of life sentences for juvenile offenders as it agreed to hear three convicted lifers’ appeals but then summarily affirmed their punishments.

Tagged with: Eighth Amendment Graham v. Florida juvenile offenders Larry Hogan life sentences

A sharply divided Maryland high court Wednesday upheld life sentences for juvenile offenders, saying they have a constitutionally required 'meaningful opportunity' for release based on their maturity and rehabilitation behind bars.

Tagged with: Eighth Amendment Graham v. Florida juvenile offenders Larry Hogan life sentences

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland governors must be stripped of the final say in parole decisions for life-sentenced inmates because the perceived political consequences of releasing a convicted killer has and will continue to make denial of release virtually certain in all ...

Tagged with: governors authority life sentences parole