Juvenile justice groups are pressing California lawmakers to allow parole consideration after 25 years for some people who were sentenced to life without parole for crimes committed as young adults.
Under current law, people who committed serious crimes before age 18 can petition the state’s parole board after serving 25 years. Senate Bill 672 would extend the opportunity to people who were 18-25 at the time of their offense.
Karina Cardenas, a third-year law student at the University of the Pacific who recently wrote a paper on life without parole, said youth offenders should be able to plead their case by demonstrating growth and rehabilitation.
The parole board would evaluate an offender’s personal development through psychological assessments, risk evaluation measures and statements from family members, academic professionals, community advocates and victims.
Sen. Brian Jones, R-Santee, said on X, “California Democrats are about to pass SB 672 to open the prison gates for over 1,600 cold-blooded killers.”
Supporters of the bill stressed people convicted of the most heinous crimes would not be eligible. They also argued in the U.S., people involved in a deadly crime can be convicted of murder even if they did not pull the trigger. Supporters said the bill would show mercy to someone who acted as a getaway driver if the crime took place before they turned 18.
Cardenas pointed out research shows until about age 25, young adults are still developing cognitive and social processes involved in decision-making, impulse control, risk assessment and social awareness.
“Combine that with trauma and it’s the absence of emotionally available caregivers, it really increases the risk of juveniles to resist peer pressure,” Cardenas emphasized. “They are more likely to underestimate the consequences of their actions, which is the reason why they end up behind bars.”
The bill is currently in limbo. It was introduced in February 2025 and passed the state Senate but it has not yet received a hearing in the state Assembly.
