The case of Roper v Simmons revolves around the question, should children be sentenced to death for a crime that was committed prior to the age of 18. While the 8th and 14th Amendments guard against cruel and unusual punishment, does the punishment of death, for those whose crimes was committed when they were under the age of 18, automatically fall under the category cruel and unusual punishment? The Missouri Supreme Court, basing its decision partially on the Atkins v Georgia decision by the U.S Supreme Court which concluded that executing the mentally ill was a violation of the 8th and 14th Amendments, ruled that Roper v Simmons fell under the category of cruel and unusual punishment. This decision led the state
The case of Roper v Simmons revolves around the question, should children be sentenced to death for a crime that was committed prior to the age of 18. While the 8th and 14th Amendments guard against cruel and unusual punishment, does the punishment of death, for those whose crimes was committed when they were under the age of 18, automatically fall under the category cruel and unusual punishment? The Missouri Supreme Court, basing its decision partially on the Atkins v Georgia decision by the U.S Supreme Court which concluded that executing the mentally ill was a violation of the 8th and 14th Amendments, ruled that Roper v Simmons fell under the category of cruel and unusual punishment. This decision led the state