Hello, my name is Howard D. Frazier (Inmate #1046298). I have been incarcerated for nearly 23 of my 42 years of living after receiving a First-Degree Murder charge just one month after my 20th birthday. At the time, I struggled with dyslexia, I hid the fact that I was reading and writing at an elementary level, and I lacked the average comprehension skills which prevented me from fully grasping the legal implications I faced. Those factors, combined with my emotional distress, led me to withdraw entirely from my trial rather than to advocate for myself.

As I’ve grown, I've learned more about the law.  I discovered the Supreme Court’s Miller v. Alabama (2012) decision, which ruled that a sentence of mandatory life-without-parole was unconstitutional for juveniles. In that landmark case the court emphasized that older adolescents' brains, particularly the regions responsible for judgment, impulse control, and long-term planning are all still developing. This acknowledgment of science-based evidence is exactly why many laws have already increased legal age thresholds for activities like purchasing tobacco.

However, while Miller v. Alabama applies to juveniles, it does not fully address the fact that individuals in their late teens and early twenties are also undergoing critical brain development. Numerous studies confirm that key mental processes can remain unfinished until the mid-twenties. Consequently, a person aged 18, 19, or 20 might still lack the cognitive ability to make measured, long-term decisions under extreme stress—especially in situations that can lead to severe legal consequences.

I believe that if our society recognizes the need for enhanced protections for those under 18 and has raised the legal age for some high-stakes decisions to 21, then the same compassion and scientific rigor should be extended to older adolescents in the criminal justice system. Therefore, I respectfully urge lawmakers to consider raising the minimum age for certain severe punishments, particularly life sentences and charges like First Degree Murder, from 18 to at least 21. Doing so would reflect a consistent approach to adolescent brain science and allow for sentencing that truly fits both the nature of the crime and the developmental stage of the defendant.

By signing this petition, you signal your support for a fair, evidence-based reform that recognizes the critical role brain maturity plays in moral and legal responsibility. Thank you for reading my story and for caring about the future of young adults who, like me, were punished before they had the chance to fully understand or navigate the serious implications of their actions.

http://howardspetition.com

Sincerely,
Howard D. Frazier