Monteiro v. Rhode Island

  • Filed: 02/24/2023
  • Status: Victory!
  • Court: Rhode Island Supreme Court
  • Latest Update: Feb 24, 2023
Mario Monteiro v. Rhode Island

Summary

A petition filed in R.I. Superior Court to challenge the state’s “absurd” position that an important criminal justice reform enacted by the General Assembly in 2021 doesn’t apply to the person the law was overtly aimed to help.

A petition filed in R.I. Superior Court to challenge the state’s “absurd” position that an important criminal justice reform enacted by the General Assembly in 2021, designed to give young offenders serving lengthy sentences a chance for early release on parole, doesn’t apply to the person the law was overtly aimed to help.

Attorney(s):
Sonja Deyoe, Lisa Holley, and Lynette Labinger

News & Commentary

Feb 24, 2023

ACLU Challenges State's "Absurd" Position that "Mario's Law," Allowing for Early Release of Juvenile Offenders, Doesn't Apply to Mario

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys have today filed a petition in R.I. Superior Court to challenge the state’s “absurd” position that an important criminal justice reform enacted by the General Assembly in 2021 doesn’t apply to the person the law was overtly aimed to help.

monteiro v rhode island
Mar 24, 2022

ACLU Charges State with Undermining Law Designed to Reduce the Incarceration of Juvenile Offenders

The State’s argument, taken to its logical conclusion, would be that the Youthful Offender Act is not applicable—at all—to any person sentenced on multiple offenses, even those running concurrently, since that person has not been convicted of “an” offense.

Parole DOC Case
May 27, 2015

A Lifelong Punishment: Juvenile Life Without Parole

UPDATE 6/10/2015: Call the leaders of the House and Senate and the chairs of the Judiciary committees to ask them to support legislation banning life without parole sentences for children in Rhode Island. 

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Jul 02, 2024

RI Supreme Court Orders Parole Board to Consider Release of Mario Monteiro in Response to ACLU of RI Lawsuit

In a major victory for criminal justice reform and the rights of youthful offenders, the Rhode Island Supreme Court today ruled that Mario Monteiro and other similarly situated teenagers and young adults are eligible for parole consideration for release to the community after serving twenty years.

Mario Monteiro eligible for parole, RI Supreme Court rules

Learn More About the Issues in This Case

Criminal Justice View All Issues

Related News & Podcasts

News & Commentary
Feb 24, 2023
monteiro v rhode island
  • Criminal Justice

ACLU Challenges State's "Absurd" Position that "Mario's Law," Allowing for Early Release of Juvenile Offenders, Doesn't Apply to Mario

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys have today filed a petition in R.I. Superior Court to challenge the state’s “absurd” position that an important criminal justice reform enacted by the General Assembly in 2021 doesn’t apply to the person the law was overtly aimed to help.
News & Commentary
Mar 24, 2022
Parole DOC Case
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +1 Issue

ACLU Charges State with Undermining Law Designed to Reduce the Incarceration of Juvenile Offenders

The State’s argument, taken to its logical conclusion, would be that the Youthful Offender Act is not applicable—at all—to any person sentenced on multiple offenses, even those running concurrently, since that person has not been convicted of “an” offense.
News & Commentary
May 27, 2015
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +1 Issue

A Lifelong Punishment: Juvenile Life Without Parole

UPDATE 6/10/2015: Call the leaders of the House and Senate and the chairs of the Judiciary committees to ask them to support legislation banning life without parole sentences for children in Rhode Island. 
News & Commentary
Jul 02, 2024
Mario Monteiro eligible for parole, RI Supreme Court rules
  • Criminal Justice

RI Supreme Court Orders Parole Board to Consider Release of Mario Monteiro in Response to ACLU of RI Lawsuit

In a major victory for criminal justice reform and the rights of youthful offenders, the Rhode Island Supreme Court today ruled that Mario Monteiro and other similarly situated teenagers and young adults are eligible for parole consideration for release to the community after serving twenty years.