The Past, Present, and Future of North Carolina’s Harshest Punishment

The United States is the only country in the world that allows for those under the age of 18 to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP). Within the U.S., North Carolina is one of only 25 states that has not banned the punishment altogether. Since the practice was introduced in 1994, a series of legal battles nationally and within the state have slowly eroded the use of juvenile LWOP, and one case currently pending review before the state Supreme Court could effectively end the sentence for good.”

FellowsNoah GottliebFebruary 21, 2022NC Supreme Court, Death Penalty, Criminal Justice, Sentencing, NCPOLComment