The United States Supreme Court has ruled that it violates the Eighth Amendment for a juvenile (anyone who was under the age of 18 when they commited the crime) to face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Court, however, said that it was the mandatory aspect of the sentence that violated the Eighth Amendment--states could still allow for a sentence of life without parole so long as the sentencing judge had to option to impose a lesser sentence. Some now argue that even allowing the option of life without parole for a juvenile violates the Eighth Amendment. Do you agree or disagree with this argument? Why?

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that it violates the Eighth Amendment for a juvenile (anyone who was under the age of 18 when they commited the crime) to face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Court, however, said that it was the mandatory aspect of the sentence that violated the Eighth Amendment--states could still allow for a sentence of life without parole so long as the sentencing judge had to option to impose a lesser sentence. Some now argue that even allowing the option of life without parole for a juvenile violates the Eighth Amendment. Do you agree or disagree with this argument? Why?