Most of the sentences imposed on these children were mandatory: the court could not give any consideration to the child's age or life history. Some of the children were charged with crimes that do not involve homicide or even injury; many were convicted for offenses where older teenagers or adults were involved and primarily responsible for the crime; nearly two-thirds are children of color.

This behavior is an embarrassment to many in the US, something that has needed to be resolved for years. It's part of the Reagan legacy, when legislators started pushing for stiffer mandatory sentences, giving judges no discretion.