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United States of America: United States Supreme Court Rulings Allow Execution of Juvenile Offenders and the Mentally Retarded

NCJ Number
119868
Date Published
1989
Length
4 pages
Annotation
On June 26, 1989, the United States Supreme Court ruled by five to four in three separate cases that the execution of juvenile offenders and the mentally retarded is permissible under the United States Constitution and does not violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.
Abstract
However, imposing death sentences on juveniles is in clear contravention of international treaties and standards on human rights. In addition, in May 1989 the United Nations Economic and Social Council adopted a resolution opposing the death penalty for persons suffering from mental retardation or extremely limited mental competence.