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Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Says Juvenile Offenders Can?t Be Held An Extra Three Years After Turning 18

By Altman & Altman

In Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court has struck down a law that lets the state keep juvenile offenders that it considers dangerous for another three years after they turn 18. Under Massachusetts? extended commitment law, the Department of Youth Services is allowed to hold juveniles until age 21. The state's highest court, however, is now saying that the the law violates the youths' constitutional rights. The court issued its ruling in a case brought by three juveniles. The court says the law does not clearly define what ?dangerousness? means. Previously, the law had a requirement that the threat of physical dangerousness had to connected to a mental condition that would make it hard for a person to practice self-restraint. That requirement, however, was dropped in 1990...continue to full post

Full post as published by Boston Criminal lawyer Blog on February 14, 2009 (boomark / email).