The Massachusetts Supreme Court, 5-2, has ruled that inmates serving life sentences for murders committed while they were juveniles are constitutionally entitled to be represented by lawyers and to have access to expert witnesses at their parole hearings, NECN reports. The 5-member majority said providing defendants access to lawyers and to experts would ensure they have meaningful access to argue for parole.
The court also ruled that inmates can appeal parole denials, although judges could not order that parole be granted--only order new parole hearings.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles without the possibility of parole is unconstitutional.
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