juvenile offenders

Michigan courts have already ruled that giving minors a life sentence for second degree murder is unconstitutional. Colin Jackson reports a case heard before the state Supreme Court Wednesday could expand that even further.

The Michigan Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case today involving the Fifth Amendment and criminal sentencing. Colin Jackson has more.

When a young person gets in trouble with the law, it can have devastating consequences on their future. Pre-arrest deflection programs, like RAPID initiated by the Corner Health Center in partnership with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, redirects youth to support resources, offering a meaningful alternative to becoming entrenched in the legal system. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor talked to Corner Health Center Justice Division program manager Degaryia Witten and Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer about the program, which offers deputies a direct pathway to help care for young people in the community.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and Corner Health Center have joined forces to launch a pre-arrest program to prevent young people from entering the criminal legal system. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

Michigan prosecutors are still asking for more time to respond to a recent state Supreme Court ruling that banned mandatory life sentences for 19- and 20-year-olds. Colin Jackson has more.

The Oxford High School shooter is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to let a new trial judge reconsider his life-with-out parole sentence. The shooter’s legal team says he was denied effective assistance of counsel. Rick Pluta has more.

A state House committee voted along party lines Wednesday for a bill to blunt the effects of a Michigan Supreme Court decision. The ruling says 19- and 20-year-olds cannot be automatically sentenced to life-without-parole. Rick Pluta has more.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Thursday that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for 19- and-20-year-old defendants violate the state Constitution. We have more from Rick Pluta.

More than 250 felons sent to prison for life with no chance of parole for crimes committed when they were 18 years old must have their sentences reviewed. That decision was released Wednesday by the Michigan Supreme Court. We have more from Rick Pluta.

14th District State Senator Democrat Sue Shink says she's looking at where she should be putting effort to effectively get legislation passed in a divided Legislature. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.