What is felony murder?
Allowing a defendant to be charged with first-degree murder for a killing that occurs during a dangerous felony
2. How has the sentence for felony murder for minors changed over time?
They stopped felony murder charges be used on juveniles and the ones going back to the cases they used that for in the past.
3. Give two arguments supporting changing lifetime sentences for minors.
a. They're children and need a second chance
b. Some were accidental they did it because of an abuse home life, and some could've changed their ways.
4. Give two arguments against changing lifetime sentences for minors.
a. Since they were mature enough to commit the crime their mature enough to face adult/mature consequences
b. Just because they were children is not an excuse, and they knew what they were doing.
5. What was a super predator and how did that affect juvenile sentences?
The super predator was a juvenile who had sociopathic tendencies and just committed heinous crimes without reason.
6. What reasons did the Supreme Court give for changing lifetime sentences to youths?
They took into consideration that they can mature/show maturity. In the supreme court case Graham v. Florida, they stated that a state doesn't have o give freedom to a juvenile offender.
7. How did states react to the changes in laws from the Supreme Court decisions?
They started to bring in criminals who were charged for life without parole to the board of parole to be reviewed, and also to decide if they should be allowed to get an early release.
8. You are a member of the Parole Board and you hear Joe Donovan's case. Do you grant parole or not?
I would grant parole because he didn't actually kill anyone.
