State of Iowa v. Willard Noble Chaiden Miller

Summary

The court affirmed Miller’s sentence of life imprisonment with parole eligibility after thirty-five years, holding that the Iowa Constitution does not categorically prohibit minimum terms of incarceration for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. It also held that expert testimony is not constitutionally required before imposing such a minimum term, so long as the court conducts an individualized sentencing proceeding. Finally, the court concluded that the district court properly considered the required juvenile and statutory factors and did not abuse its sentencing discretion.