The People of the State of Colorado, Petitioner/cross-Respondent, in the Interest of T.b., Respondent/cross-Petitioner

Summary

The court held that mandatory lifetime sex-offender registration for a person with multiple juvenile adjudications is punishment under the Eighth Amendment and is cruel and unusual. The registration scheme's burdens, stigmatizing effects, punitive aims, and lack of a rational relationship to public-safety purposes outweighed the legislature's stated nonpunitive intent. The court remanded for a new hearing at which T.B. could seek deregistration based on individualized circumstances and rehabilitation.