ABSTRACT
No consensus exists among the states for the minimum age of a natural life sentence: Fourteen states allow a m inor to be tried as an adult at any age and sentenced to JLWOP. In seven states, all life sentences deny the possibility of parole, regardless of age. Some states, such as California, limit JLWOP sentences to persons convicted of capital crimes or “special circum stances” crimes that include felony m urder, capital m urder, or te r rorism. M ost JLWOP sentences require a conviction for capital homicide and felony m urder. But many states have much broader statutory horizons that extend to crimes other than homicide, including lesser degrees of homicide or m anslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, rape, and nonvio lent felonies such as burglary and drug selling (Massey, 2006). O ther states (e.g., Louisiana, South Carolina) perm it or m andate natural life sentences for minors as a second or third strike.
