What ruling was made in Roper v. Simmons regarding juvenile offenders?

The ruling in Roper v. Simmons established that the death penalty is unconstitutional for offenders who were under the age of 18 at the time they committed their crimes. This landmark decision was grounded in the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, taking into account the psychological and developmental differences between juveniles and adults. The Court recognized that juveniles have a diminished culpability and greater capacity for change, indicating that they should not face the most severe penalty available for crimes.

The decision was influenced by evolving standards of decency, which reflected a growing consensus in society that executing juveniles is inappropriate and excessive. This ruling marked a significant shift in the judicial approach to juvenile offenders, affirming a belief that young individuals should be afforded different considerations in terms of punishment due to their developmental stage. This recognition of the unique status of juveniles underscores the importance of rehabilitation over retribution in the juvenile justice system.