Amicus Brief in support of extending the ban on mandatory lwop sentences up to age 20 because late adolescents experience significant brain, behavioral, and psychological change similar to adolescents

This brief argues that mandatory life without parole sentences are unconstitutional for people up to age 20 because late adolescents experience significant brain, behavioral, and psychological change similar to adolescents. The brief details brain development occurring from age 18-20 (pp. 3-12), explains how late adolescents are more vulnerable to risk taking and peer influence than adults (pp. 13-16), demonstrates that the brains and decision-making abilities of late adolescents are virtually indistinguishable from children under age 18 (pp. 17-21), describes how adversity slows neurocognitive development (pp. 21-35), and applies Michigan’s four-factor test for determining if punishment is cruel or unusual to 18 to 20 year olds (pp. 25-31).