Juvenile Resentencing
If you were under 21 years old at the time of the alleged crime, you may be legally entitled to resentencing — regardless of your conviction type or sentence length.
You May Have the Right to a Second Chance
At Back Against The Bars, LLC, we are partnering with Attorney Harrell D. Milhouse to fight for the rights of individuals who were incarcerated before their brains had fully developed. Under landmark new developments in Michigan law, if you were under the age of 21 at the time of the alleged crime for which you are currently incarcerated, you may be legally entitled to be resentenced.
This right applies regardless of:
- Whether you were convicted by a plea or after a trial
- Whether you were sentenced to life or a term-of-years
- How much time you originally received
- What crime you were convicted of
The law is clear: if the sentencing judge did not consider your youthful age and the attributes associated with being a youth as mitigating factors — you are absolutely entitled to resentencing.
Do You Qualify?
- You were under the age of 21 at the time of the alleged crime
- You are currently incarcerated in the state of Michigan
- Your sentencing judge did not consider your youth as a mitigating factor
- You were sentenced to any amount of time for any crime
It does not matter whether you were convicted of murder, a non-violent offense, or anything in between. These protections apply to all crimes and all sentences. The only requirement is that you were under 21 years old when the crime was allegedly committed.
The Legal Foundation: What the Courts Have Decided
| Case / Citation | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
|
People v. Parks 510 Mich 225 (2022) |
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that individuals who were 18 years old are entitled to be considered a juvenile for the purpose of sentencing. This was the foundation that changed everything. |
|
People v. Poole Mich. (2025) Docket No. 166813 |
The Michigan Supreme Court held that the People v. Parks decision is FULLY RETROACTIVE. This means you can raise this issue and file a new motion for relief from judgment — even if you were sentenced years or decades ago, and even if you previously filed a motion for relief from judgment. |
|
People v. Taylor Mich. (2025) Docket Nos. 166428; 166654 |
The Michigan Supreme Court raised the age of juvenile protection for sentencing purposes to include 19 and 20-year-olds. This decision is also fully retroactive. |
|
People v. Eads Mich. App. (Jan. 16, 2025) Docket No. 357332 |
The Michigan Court of Appeals made two critical rulings: (1) Sentencing a juvenile to a long term-of-years that extends beyond their life expectancy constitutes an unconstitutional de facto life sentence, regardless of the crime. (2) If a judge sentenced a defendant who was a juvenile without considering their youth as a mitigating factor, resentencing is MANDATORY. Multiple defendants have already been granted relief under this ruling. |
Recent victories under People v. Eads include:
- People v. Llanes, No. 366432 (Mich. App. Aug. 7, 2025) — relief granted for non-murder offense
- People v. Ferguson, No. 356714 (Mich. App. Aug. 12, 2025) — relief granted for non-murder crime
- People v. Echols, Mich. App. (Sept. 24, 2025) Docket No. 370709 — relief granted for second-degree murder
The bottom line: no matter the crime and no matter the amount of time you received, if you were under the age of 21, you are automatically entitled to resentencing. No ifs, ands, or buts.
What Back Against The Bars Is Doing for You
Important Update: September 10, 2025
On September 10, 2025, the Michigan Supreme Court agreed to hear the People v. Eads case (No. 168205). The Court has invited interested individuals to file an amicus brief to support granting relief to incarcerated youth.
Back Against The Bars, LLC — through its Juvenile Resentencing movement — has submitted an amicus brief on your behalf.
What our amicus brief is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to do:
For Non-First-Degree Murder Convictions
Set the maximum-minimum sentence at no more than:
9 Years, 11 Months & 29 Days
If your first parole eligibility date is 10 years or more and you were convicted of anything other than first-degree murder, we are asking for this to be deemed unconstitutional.
For First-Degree Murder: The minimum sentence is set by statute and can range from 25 to 40 years.
How We Can Help You Get Resentenced
Our Legal Services
- Filing a motion for resentencing based on your youthful status
- Filing a motion for immediate release on bond pending resentencing
- Preparing a motion demanding the court appoint you an attorney (if you cannot afford representation)
- Reviewing your case history to determine the best path forward
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. These decisions apply to individuals convicted of any crime — including murder. The common misbelief is that these rulings only apply to murder or life sentence cases. That is not true. Any crime, any sentence, any conviction type qualifies as long as you were under 21 at the time.
You can still file again. Under People v. Poole (2025), the Michigan Supreme Court made it clear that being procedurally barred from a previous motion does not prevent you from raising this issue. You are not blocked.
No. It does not matter whether you were convicted through a plea agreement or after a trial. Both paths qualify equally.
Under People v. Eads (2025), any term-of-years sentence that would keep a juvenile incarcerated beyond their natural life expectancy is considered a de facto life sentence and is unconstitutional. Furthermore, if your judge simply failed to consider your youth as a mitigating factor, resentencing is mandatory regardless of the sentence length.
We can prepare a motion on your behalf demanding that your trial court judge appoint you a court-appointed attorney. This motion is professionally prepared by us but will be filed by you in pro per. The fee for this service is $500.00.
Don't Wait — Take Action Now
The law is on your side. Recent court decisions have opened a critical window of opportunity for individuals who were incarcerated before the age of 21. But waiting too long can affect your options. If you want to be resentenced, the appropriate paperwork must be filed.
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results may vary based on individual circumstances. Back Against The Bars, LLC partners with licensed attorneys to provide legal services. Please contact us directly to discuss the specifics of your case.
Hope. Healing. Humanity. — Back Against The Bars.
Ready to Get Started?
Reach out to our team today. Someone will be available to provide you with guidance.
Don't Wait — Take Action Now
Ready to Get Started?
Reach out to our team today. Someone will be available to provide you with guidance.
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results may vary based on individual circumstances. Back Against The Bars, LLC partners with licensed attorneys to provide legal services. Please contact us directly to discuss the specifics of your case.