Full access
Clinical & Research News
Published Online: 2 April 2004

Two More States Ban Execution of Minors

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 39, Number 7
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.39.7.0044a
Legislators in several states have been debating bills that would prohibit the execution of criminals who were younger than 18 when they committed their crimes. Psychiatrists have testified in favor of such a statute change on behalf of APA and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) in a number of those states (Psychiatric News, March 19).
On March 3, with the signature of their governors, two of those states, Wyoming and South Dakota, became the 30th and 31st states to eliminate the death penalty for crimes committed before an adolescent reaches age 18. The New Hampshire legislature may also be nearing agreement on a bill to limit death penalties to those aged 18 or over.
APA and AACAP have used ever-more-sophisticated scientific evidence to explain to lawmakers around the country how adolescents’ brains are still developing, including brain areas that affect teenagers’ ability to make judgments and control impulsive behaviors.
In its next term, which begins on the first Monday of October, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on whether executing people who were under age 18 at the time of their crime violates the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 39 • Number 7 • April 2, 2004
Pages: 44

History

Published online: 2 April 2004
Published in print: April 2, 2004

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.