Supreme Court of the United States

Miller v. Alabama

June 25, 2012

Summary

The Supreme Court held that the Eighth Amendment prohibits mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juvenile homicide offenders because such schemes prevent consideration of the defendant's youth and attendant circumstances. The decision reversed the judgments below and remanded for further proceedings. Justices Roberts, Thomas, and Alito dissented, arguing the Court disregarded legislative consensus.