Roper V. Simmons Case Study

The main focus point and argument regarding both the Stanford v. Kentucky and Roper v. Simmons case rely mainly on the eight amendment. Throughout both cases, the eighth amendment played a key factor in determining the court’s decision, regarding whether or not Simmons or Stanford would be facing the death penalty. Both “The Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid imposition of the death penalty on offenders who were under the age of 18 when their crimes were committed.” The eighth amendment states “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” While both the eighth and fourteenth played a key factor in determining the court’s decision, the decision was more so based on the eight amendment. Both cases predominately focused on the phrase, “nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
Throughout the Roper V. Simmons case, the issue regarding Simmons age following the incident of the crime is what led to numerous unfortunate circumstances, as well as misperception in determining the court's final decision. For example, when Simmons committed his heinous crime he was seventeen years of age, it was not until after Simmons turned eighteen that he was tried and sentenced to death for capital murder. Throughout the
The court also discovered that juveniles under the age of seventeen are more likely to be rehabilitated in comparison to adults which is why juveniles should not be offered the death penalty. It was argued by the courts that most juveniles cannot be fully blamed for their actions due to being so undeveloped. It was also argued that juveniles are more likely not to be deterred from committing a crime by being threatened with the death penalty due to the lack of cognitive skills they have in comparison to