Bryan Stevenson

I think what distinguishes children from adults is that they're in a constant state of change. They are not who they are going to be anymore. In a decade, physically, emotionally, psychologically, biologically, we change as we go through adolescence. And in many states, we don't permit that change to take place.

I think what distinguishes children from adults is that they're in a constant state of change. They are not who they are going to be anymore. In a decade, physically, emotionally, psychologically, biologically, we change as we go through adolescence. And in many states, we don't permit that change to take place.

I think what distinguishes children from adults is that they're in a constant state of change. They are not who they are going to be anymore. In a decade, physically, emotionally, psychologically, biologically, we change as we go through adolescence. And in many states, we don't permit that change to take place.

We have 13 states in the United States that have no minimum age for trying a child as an adult. So I represent eight and nine-year-old kids sometimes who are facing 50- and 60-year prison sentences.

We have 13 states in the United States that have no minimum age for trying a child as an adult. So I represent eight and nine-year-old kids sometimes who are facing 50- and 60-year prison sentences.

We have 13 states in the United States that have no minimum age for trying a child as an adult. So I represent eight and nine-year-old kids sometimes who are facing 50- and 60-year prison sentences.

Eight and nine-year-old children. We have these 13 states where there's no minimum age. When these laws took effect about 40 years ago, I started getting calls from parents of five and six-year-old children who were being put in handcuffs in kindergarten for behaviors. And it was this kind of zero tolerance, this mindset that children can just be crimes.

Eight and nine-year-old children. We have these 13 states where there's no minimum age. When these laws took effect about 40 years ago, I started getting calls from parents of five and six-year-old children who were being put in handcuffs in kindergarten for behaviors. And it was this kind of zero tolerance, this mindset that children can just be crimes.

Eight and nine-year-old children. We have these 13 states where there's no minimum age. When these laws took effect about 40 years ago, I started getting calls from parents of five and six-year-old children who were being put in handcuffs in kindergarten for behaviors. And it was this kind of zero tolerance, this mindset that children can just be crimes.

And I think what you're saying about the capacity for change is most dramatic in that population for me, because one of the things I quickly learned is that when I represent young kids, I can't just be a lawyer. I've got to be a parent. and a brother and a counselor and a friend, because children in these really hostile, violent environments are still yearning for affection.

And I think what you're saying about the capacity for change is most dramatic in that population for me, because one of the things I quickly learned is that when I represent young kids, I can't just be a lawyer. I've got to be a parent. and a brother and a counselor and a friend, because children in these really hostile, violent environments are still yearning for affection.

And I think what you're saying about the capacity for change is most dramatic in that population for me, because one of the things I quickly learned is that when I represent young kids, I can't just be a lawyer. I've got to be a parent. and a brother and a counselor and a friend, because children in these really hostile, violent environments are still yearning for affection.

They're still yearning for something that makes them feel valuable. And so one of the things I quickly realized is that my young clients were constantly wanting me to visit them, like every week. And they'd be in prisons, you know, hundreds of miles away. And I was like, you know, I can't. So I started doing this thing where I would say, I'm going to send you a book.

They're still yearning for something that makes them feel valuable. And so one of the things I quickly realized is that my young clients were constantly wanting me to visit them, like every week. And they'd be in prisons, you know, hundreds of miles away. And I was like, you know, I can't. So I started doing this thing where I would say, I'm going to send you a book.

They're still yearning for something that makes them feel valuable. And so one of the things I quickly realized is that my young clients were constantly wanting me to visit them, like every week. And they'd be in prisons, you know, hundreds of miles away. And I was like, you know, I can't. So I started doing this thing where I would say, I'm going to send you a book.

When you read the book, I will come and see you to talk about it. And my clients, who were many of them very reluctant readers, some of them not good readers, started this whole reading thing. And I would send them harder and harder books, and I would pick the books, and then I started letting them pick the books.

When you read the book, I will come and see you to talk about it. And my clients, who were many of them very reluctant readers, some of them not good readers, started this whole reading thing. And I would send them harder and harder books, and I would pick the books, and then I started letting them pick the books.

When you read the book, I will come and see you to talk about it. And my clients, who were many of them very reluctant readers, some of them not good readers, started this whole reading thing. And I would send them harder and harder books, and I would pick the books, and then I started letting them pick the books.

A client who was sentenced to life when he was 14, and I've now represented him for 30 years. And a couple of years ago, he called me late at night, and I was a little kind of provoked because he's not supposed to call that late. But I picked up and I said, why are you calling so late? He says, it's an emergency. I said, what's the emergency?

A client who was sentenced to life when he was 14, and I've now represented him for 30 years. And a couple of years ago, he called me late at night, and I was a little kind of provoked because he's not supposed to call that late. But I picked up and I said, why are you calling so late? He says, it's an emergency. I said, what's the emergency?