Torey Michael Adamcik v. Idaho

States and the circuits are split both on whether a finding of irreparable corruption is required before imposing a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for a juvenile offense and on whether persons serving such sentences imposed before Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012), are entitled to present evidence that they are ineligible for that sentence. This case directly implicates both conflicts and concerns a sentencing court that apparently invoked youth as an aggravating factor in considering what sentence to impose. Additionally, this case presents an opportunity to confirm that the national consensus against imposing such sentences establishes that irrevocably sentencing a juvenile to die in prison violates the evolving standards of decency. I. Before sentencing a juvenile to life without the possibility of parole, must the sentencer find that the juvenile is irreparably corrupt. II. Are juveniles who were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole before Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012), entitled to an opportunity to present evidence that they are not irreparably corrupt. III. Whether a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for a juvenile offense in and of itself violates the Eighth Amendment, in light of the contemporary standards of decency.