Morris Kent a 16 year old from Washington, DC has been on probation since 14 years old. He was charged for burglaries & theft, arrested and charged with three home burglaries, three robberies, and two counts of rape. Prosecutors tried Morris in adult court because of the serious charges and criminal history. his lawyer wanted him to stay in juvenile court and planned to argue that Morris had a mental illness. the judge agreed with prosecutors without hearing. Morris was found guilty and sentenced to 30 to 90 years in prison.
Supreme Court ruled against Morris and decided whether to remove a case from juvenile judges must consider the seriousness of crime, age, and criminal background.
Legal system varies, in some states those under 18 can be tried as adults for murder, sexual assault, possession without parole. In 2005 supreme court abolished death penalty for juvenile offenders saying it violated the 8th amendment "cruel unusual punishments."
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