Senators Seek to End Juvenile Life Without Parole

Liz Gullett

Feb 04, 2022

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation seeking to abolish juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) in Michigan. The proposed bills would eliminate it, provide a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 60 years, and allow for parole review after 10 years. Additionally, the review process would require consideration of the juvenile’s age and immaturity, family home environment, and circumstances of the offense. Michigan is one of 16 states that allow for JLWOP and has individuals serving life without parole who were sentenced as minors. The bill package has been referred to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee for consideration.

In 2012, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Miller v. Alabama that sentencing juveniles to mandatory life without the possibility of parole is unconstitutional.

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