Brain Science Shows Why 18 Is Too Young for the Death Penalty

The human brain continues developing until approximately the mid-20s, with the prefrontal cortex—associated with impulse control and judgment—maturing later than other regions. This neurological fact has been cited in legal proceedings regarding capital punishment for defendants under 18 years old. The U.S. Supreme Court prohibited execution of defendants who were under 18 at the time of their crime in Roper v. Simmons, decided in 2005.

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