Redeeming Justice: The Right to Redemption

Below the Line

In this episode, activist Kempis “Ghani” Songster and Professor Rachel Lopez discuss their article, written with co-author Terrell Carter: Redeeming Justice. You can read their article here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3728752. After Jones, mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles remain unconstitutional; if someone under 18 is sentenced to life without parole under a mandatory sentencing scheme, that person is entitled to a rehearing. Yet the majority’s opinion in Jones suggests that youth need not be considered explicitly when LWOP is part of a discretionary sentencing scheme.