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Bright v. Massachusetts

Petition for certiorari denied on March 20, 2017
Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
16-579 Mass. App. Ct. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 2016

Issues: (1) Whether the Eighth Amendment's requirement of individualized sentencing for a child who confronts a sentence of life in prison is satisfied by the possibility that a future parole board may exercise its discretion to release him early; and (2) whether the imposition of a mandatory life sentence on a child convicted on a joint venture theory, without any individualized sentencing consideration, violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Aug 30 2016Application (16A216) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from September 28, 2016 to October 28, 2016, submitted to Justice Breyer.
Aug 30 2016Application (16A216) granted by Justice Breyer extending the time to file until October 28, 2016.
Oct 28 2016Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 28, 2016)
Nov 15 2016Brief amicus curiae of The Sentencing Project filed.
Nov 18 2016Waiver of right of respondent Massachusetts to respond filed.
Nov 21 2016Brief amici curiae of Juvenile Law Center, et al. filed.
Nov 28 2016Brief amici curiae of Citizens for Juvenile Justice, et al. filed.
Nov 30 2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 6, 2017.
Dec 12 2016Response Requested . (Due January 11, 2017)
Jan 3 2017Order extending time to file response to petition to and including February 10, 2017.
Feb 10 2017Brief of respondent Massachusetts in opposition filed.
Feb 28 2017Reply of petitioner Ahmad Bright filed.
Mar 1 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 17, 2017.
Mar 7 2017Supplemental brief of petitioner Ahmad Bright filed. (Distributed)
Mar 20 2017Petition DENIED.