October Term 2001 · Docket 00-957
Does a juvenile offender's future danger justify life without parole?
Kansas seeks to keep a juvenile in prison for life. The defendant argues his youth requires a chance to change.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Stovall argued the Kansas Supreme Court misread prior law.
Mr. Donham argued the dispute centers on why the offender is dangerous.
The Chief Justice noted the case is submitted.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Kansas argues the state must protect the public from a dangerous youth. The defendant argues his age makes him less blameworthy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 21-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 30, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
What each side wants
Kansas wants to keep the juvenile in prison for life.
The defendant wants a chance to leave prison.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 21-41
What each side says
Kansas argues the state must protect the public from danger.
The defendant argues his youth makes him less blameworthy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 21-41
What the justices asked
The Chief Justice asked the case is submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-7
Why it matters
This case defines how courts treat young offenders. It shapes prison sentences for juveniles nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 21-41
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-7
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 21-41
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.