Find Court Cases > Sullivan v. Florida

Sullivan v. Florida

Case Date: 11/09/2009
Docket No: none

Facts of the Case 

When Joe Sullivan was 13 years old, he was convicted of sexual battery by a Florida state court and sentenced to life in prison without parole. On appeal to the District Court of Appeal of Florida, Mr. Sullivan argued that his sentence was cruel and unusual and thus violated both the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. The court of appeals affirmed Mr. Sullivan's sentence without comment.

Read the Briefs for this Case
  • Brief Amicus Curiae of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation In Support of Respondents
  • Brief Amici Curiae of National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Lifers In Support of Respondent
  • Brief Amicus Curiae of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation In Support of Respondents
  • Reply Brief for Petitioner
    • Question 

    Does the imposition of a life sentence without parole on a 13 year old convicted of a non-homicidal offense violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments' prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishment?"

    Argument Sullivan v. Florida - Oral ArgumentFull Transcript Text  Download MP3Sullivan v. Florida - Opinion AnnouncementFull Transcript Text  Download MP3 Conclusion 

    The writ of certiorari was dismissed as improvidently granted.