Wisconsin Supreme Court weighs whether 10-year-old killer should stay in adult court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments on whether a 10-year-old who murdered his mother can be kept in criminal court under the state’s reverse-waiver law.
On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court considered whether the state’s reverse-waiver provision, which can keep juveniles in adult court, infringes on due-process protections by failing to account for a child’s age. The case centers on Noah Mann-Tate, who at ten years old shot his mother after she refused to purchase an Oculus headset, leading to a first-degree intentional homicide charge. A circuit court denied his request to be transferred to juvenile court, but an appeals court reversed, deeming the statute unconstitutional for ignoring youth’s unique needs.
Justices debated the three statutory factors, especially the difficulty of predicting a child’s future treatment needs, while the state argued the law remains valid. Several justices expressed concern over the harshness of trying a ten-year-old as an adult, and the court may issue guidance on how age should factor into future decisions. The outcome could reshape how Wisconsin handles the most serious juvenile offenses.
Why it matters
The ruling could change whether children accused of severe crimes are tried in adult courts, affecting juvenile justice nationwide.
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