In 1989, the US barred the death penalty for children under which age?

The correct answer to the question about the age at which the US barred the death penalty for children in 1989 is 18. In that year, the Supreme Court case Thompson v. Oklahoma established that executing individuals who were under the age of 16 at the time of their crimes was unconstitutional. This landmark ruling emphasized that young people, particularly those under 18, possess a different moral and cognitive development compared to adults, which warrants different considerations in legal consequences.

The focus on development and the recognition of children's rights are key themes that Bryan Stevenson addresses throughout "Just Mercy," highlighting the vulnerabilities of youth in the justice system and promoting the understanding that they should be treated with greater care and given opportunities for rehabilitation rather than facing the ultimate punishment.