New report: Racial inequity, other flaws contribute to Michigan's many juveniles lifers
By John Barnes, MLive, May 16, 2012
A new report released today claims Michigan’s justice system is riddled with disparities in the way it treats teen offenders facing the state’s severest punishment, life in prison without parole.
Lawyers representing the minors are more likely to have checkered records and prosecutors are less likely to consider reducing charges if the victim was white, according to the report.
“In fact, young people in Michigan are more likely to receive longer sentences than adults for comparable offenses,” said the report, a joint effort of the Michigan-based Second Chances 4 Youth and the ACLU of Michigan.
