Case Name: Thompson v. Oklahoma
Year: Argued 1987 ; Decided 1988
Result: 5-3 in favor of Thompson
Related Constitutional Issue/ Amendment: 8th Amendment dealing with cruel and unusual punishment
Civil Rights of Civil Liberties: Civil Liberties
Significance/ Precedent: The court decided that the execution of anyone under the age of 16 was unconstitutional and that that such an act would violate the "evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society."
Quote from Majority Opinion: “In performing that task, the Court has reviewed the work product of state legislatures and sentencing juries, and has carefully considered the reasons why a civilized society may accept or reject the death penalty in certain types of cases. Thus, in confronting the question whether the youth of the defendant -- more specifically, the fact that he was less than 16 years old at the time of his offense -- is a sufficient reason for denying the State the power to sentence him to death, we first review relevant legislative enactments, then refer to jury determinations, and finally explain why these indicators of contemporary standards of decency confirm our judgment that such a young person is not capable of acting with the degree of culpability that can justify the ultimate penalty.”
6-Word Summary: Adolescents are maturing, death penalty unlawful
Year: Argued 1987 ; Decided 1988
Result: 5-3 in favor of Thompson
Related Constitutional Issue/ Amendment: 8th Amendment dealing with cruel and unusual punishment
Civil Rights of Civil Liberties: Civil Liberties
Significance/ Precedent: The court decided that the execution of anyone under the age of 16 was unconstitutional and that that such an act would violate the "evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society."
Quote from Majority Opinion: “In performing that task, the Court has reviewed the work product of state legislatures and sentencing juries, and has carefully considered the reasons why a civilized society may accept or reject the death penalty in certain types of cases. Thus, in confronting the question whether the youth of the defendant -- more specifically, the fact that he was less than 16 years old at the time of his offense -- is a sufficient reason for denying the State the power to sentence him to death, we first review relevant legislative enactments, then refer to jury determinations, and finally explain why these indicators of contemporary standards of decency confirm our judgment that such a young person is not capable of acting with the degree of culpability that can justify the ultimate penalty.”
6-Word Summary: Adolescents are maturing, death penalty unlawful