SJC: State Must Pay For Lawyers For Juvenile Offenders Seeking Parole

The state's highest court says juveniles convicted of first-degree murder are entitled to public funds for lawyers and expert witnesses at parole board hearings.

Monday's 5-2 ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court builds on a December 2013 ruling that found mandatory life sentences for juveniles without the possibility of parole unconstitutional. That ruling opened the door for dozens of inmates serving sentences for killings committed before they were 18 to seek parole after 15 years behind bars.

The latest decision would require the state to pay for a lawyer and any expert witnesses if the inmate was unable to afford private counsel.

The court also said decisions by the parole board not to grant parole could be reviewed by a state judge, who in turn could order a new hearing.