When Jacksonville juvenile criminal defendant, Jamar Graham, was 16 years old, he was charged with armed burglary. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in this 2004 case. Today, the United States Supreme Court (USSC) held that he will be re-sentenced after spending seven years behind bars. The USSC ruled that juveniles sentenced in non-homicide cases should not be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. However, this rule does not extend to juveniles convicted of homicide. Chief Justice Roberts concurred with the majority opinion in Graham’s case, but stated that the ruling should not extend to all juveniles in all non-homicide cases. This opinion will effect other Jacksonville Juveniles that have been sentenced to life-without-parole in non-homicide cases.
If a Florida Juvenile criminal defendant has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in a non-homicide case, it is imperative that he or she pursue another sentencing heairng in accordance with Graham v. Florida. To do so, contact a Florida Juvenile Lawyer.
To learn more about Graham’s case, visit The Florida Times-Union.