In the United States, at least 79 children under 14 are serving life sentences without parole—a reality that has drawn strong criticism worldwide. Groups such as Human Rights Watch and the Equal Justice Initiative argue these punishments violate basic standards of justice, noting many of the youths come from backgrounds of poverty, abuse, and systemic inequality.
One widely discussed case is Lionel Tate, who was sentenced at age 12 in the death of a younger child during play. Although his sentence was later reduced, the case fueled intense debate over trying minors as adults.
