To provide a sense of justice to victims?
In practice, it may serve several purposes simultaneously.
The challenge is determining how those purposes should be balanced when the defendant is extremely young.
What Happens After Sentencing?
A sentencing hearing doesn’t necessarily mean the legal process is over.
A defendant may have the right to appeal.
Attorneys may challenge the conviction or sentence.
Courts may review whether proper procedures were followed.
Legislatures can also change sentencing laws over time.
In some jurisdictions, juvenile offenders may have opportunities for sentence review after serving a substantial period.
The exact rules vary widely.
That means readers should avoid assuming that an 86-year or 58-year headline necessarily represents the final outcome decades into the future.
The Possibility of Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is often a particularly important consideration when dealing with young offenders.
A teenager may have an entire adult life ahead of them.
