Cruel and Unusual

Today, the Supreme Court ruled that it is cruel and unusual punishment to sentence a minor to life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP) when no one has died as a result of the crime that was committed. The 6-3 vote to forbid this practice, with Justices Thomas, Scalia and Alito dissenting, is something that has been long overdue. In 2005, the court forbid the execution of minors that committed murder, thus making LWOP the highest form of punishment for those under the age of 18. It only seems reasonable that a minor that does not commit a murder be given a lesser form of punishment.

The Supreme Court has been nearly flawless in my opinion in recent years when it comes to landmark cases. It is a breath of fresh air to know that at least one branch of our federal government works as the founding fathers intended it. The high court has another month and a half before it ends session and loses Justice John Paul Stevens, a moderate conservative with progressive ideals that served under 7 presidents.