“When a minor commits a heinous crime, the State can demand the forfeiture of the most basic freedoms, but it cannot extinguish the life of a minor and his potential to reach a mature understanding of his own humanity." - (United States Supreme Court: Roper v. Simmons- No. 03-633, 2005) In the case of Roper v. Simmons courts have noted that minors are not adults, lack responsibility and can easily fall under peer pressure. (Champion, 2013) There are many different factors that attribute the actions of juvenile offenders, most of which are not entirely within their control. Three main factors: 1) Brain development hinders the ability of young people to refrain from impulsive behavior 2) Most young delinquents are raised in a low-education environment 3) The possibility of the death penalty does not have much effect on juveniles. Medical research indicates that the part of the brain that controls impulsivity in adolescents is not fully developed until their early twenties, so young people are desensitized to dangerous behaviors. It is unfortunate that most young people who commit violent crimes are prone to self-destruction. A child raised in a broken home, lacking care, love and discipline, is more likely to commit violent crimes: the lack of maturity and ability to understand the Repercussions of their actions, such as a possible death sentence, are a concept foreign to minors. (Streib, 2004) Considering the above factors, the administration of the death penalty to juveniles should be considered cruel and unusual punishment. When a minor commits a heinous crime, he should be punished to the extent necessary, but not put to death. Putting the child to death does not help anyone, it does not facilitate the recovery of the victim...... middle of paper ......ddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2013. Print.Ortiz, Adam. “Cruel and Unusual Punishments: Adolescence with Juvenile Death Penalty, Brain Development, and Legal Guilt.” Juvenile Justice Center (January 2004): n. page American Bar Association. January 2004. Web. December 11, 2013. Crocker, Phyllis L. “Child Abuse and Adult Murder: Implications for the Death Penalty.” Articles and essays (1999): n. page http://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/. 01 January 1999. Web. 11 December 2013. http://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1278&context=fac_articlesRosenblatt, Roger. "The killing of Kayla." Time Magazine 05 March 2000: n. page Network. December 12. 2013. ..