This case asks whether Washington violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment when it followed a state law forbidding the use of public funds for theology degrees
Solis Diaz’s PRP argues that his extensive term-of-years sentence is the functional equivalent of a juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentence, and is therefore unconstitutional under the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions.
In June 2012, the United States Supreme Court struck down mandatory life without possibility of parole sentences when imposed on individuals convicted of committing murder while under age 18 (referred to herein as JLWOP sentences).
We argue that requirement of this specific form of analysis, when a State Constitutional right to privacy is asserted and claims have been supported, poses a substantial risk to privacy protections in Washington State
WA Supreme Court needs to address whether a sentence of life without parole (LWOP) constitutes cruel punishment when it is imposed under a three strikes mandatory minimum statute and some of the crimes were committed when the defendant was a young adult.
