Meaning
The Miller factors are a set of considerations that judges must consider when deciding whether to sentence a juvenile to life without parole. The factors include:
The juvenile’s age and immaturity
The juvenile’s family and home environment
The circumstances of the offense, including the juvenile’s role and any influence of peer pressure
Environmental influences
Disadvantages the juvenile faced with the justice system
The juvenile’s changeability
The Miller factors are named after the 2012 Supreme Court ruling Miller v. Alabama. The ruling found that children are less culpable than adults because they are more susceptible to poor decision making, lack of self-regulation, and peer pressure. The ruling also states that while life without parole sentences are still permissible, they can only be imposed after judicial consideration of the individual circumstances.
Source:
Miller v. Alabama and Juvenile Life Without Parole Laws: https://rb.gy/hinzt1
Further Reading:
https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/what-is-cyber-kidnapping-anhttps://www.
Redefining Youth: The Case for Applying The Principles of Miller v. Alabama to Criminal Cases Involving Adults in Late Adolescence: https://shorturl.at/fiuDV
Senate and House Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Michigan: https://rb.gy/dxl9wk
Miller’s Children: Why Giving Teenage Killers a Second Chance Matters for All of Us Paperback by Dr. James Garbarino: https://rb.gy/lcikez