Winston Secures Reduced Time for Client Sentenced as a Minor to 100 Years

A Winston & Strawn team recently secured a reduced sentence for our client who was previously sentenced to 100 years in prison for a murder that he committed at the age of 16. Winston represented him before the Seventh Circuit, which ruled that our client’s prison term was unconstitutional because the trial court did not consider his youth when sentencing him to life without the possibility of parole.

Winston then represented our client in resentencing, which resulted in the Illinois Appellate Court reversing the trial court and substantially reducing his sentence based on his stellar record of rehabilitation while incarcerated. As a result, rather than spending the rest of his life in prison, our client will now be released at the age of 41, in approximately 5 years.

“This case is a perfect example of Winston’s commitment to its clients,” said Winston & Strawn Chicago Partner Brian Nisbet. “Over several years, Winston was able to achieve an outstanding result for a deserving person who has dedicated himself to rehabilitation and improvement.”

This case was handled by members of Winston’s Chicago office including Partner Brian Nisbet.

This matter is part of Winston & Strawn’s Racial Justice and Equity CEASE Initiative. Learn more here.

For more details about Winston’s Pro Bono practice, click here.