Imposition of Death Sentences for Juvenile Offenses, January 1, 1982, Through July 15, 1989

• NCJ Number: 118151
• Author(s): V L Streib
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Cleveland State University
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: 10th edition

Annotation

Juvenile death sentences represented only 2 percent of total death sentences in the United States between 1982 and 1989.

Abstract

Of 2,181 total death sentences over the 8-year period, only 47 involved juveniles. Of the 47, 6 were 15 years of age when the crime was committed, 9 were 16 years, and 32 were 17 years. As of July 1989, 28 persons were on death row for crimes committed while under 18 years of age. The reported decline in juvenile death sentences may have resulted from the 1988 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Thompson v. Oklahoma. Tabular data on juvenile death sentences include year, offender name, age at time of crime, race, State, and current status as of July 1989.