What is the question presented in Harris v. Arkansas?

Whether the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments prohibit the execution of an individual who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of his offense?

No. 19-7883October Term 2019Decided Apr 27, 2020

Docket 19-7883October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

Harris v. Arkansas

Harris petitioned the Supreme Court to review a decision by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals involving the state of Arkansas.

Case Accepted

Arguments

Decision ReleasedApr 27, 2020

What it's about: Harris petitioned the Supreme Court to review a decision by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals involving the state of Arkansas. The petitioner also requested permission to proceed without paying court fees.
Question presented
Whether the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments prohibit the execution of an individual who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of his offense?
Case path: United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit / Decision released Apr 27, 2020
Area: Decided Supreme Court case

Grounding: Primary-source trail available.
Note: Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked: Mar 30, 2026
Method: Methodology

Primary materials5