The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments on life sentences for juveniles. According to the Quad City Times, Ruthann Veal’s lawyer feels that life without parole for someone who committed a crime as a juvenile is cruel and unusual punishment.

Veal was 14 when she murdered a woman in a neighboring town and was sentenced to life without parole. But in Iowa children aren’t legally allowed to drop out of school or even operate amusement rides. According to her attorney, Bryan Stevenson,  those laws demonstrate an understanding that even though children can commit violent acts, their minds are still not fully formed.

“[Children are] going to change. Their judgment’s going to improve. Their impulse control will improve; their sense of responsibility will improve. And while they can do things that are tragic and devastating and need to be punished, we shouldn’t conclude that they, like adults, are beyond all hope and redemption,” Stevenson says.

The Iowa Supreme court will issue a ruling on whether Juvenile Life Without Parole is cruel and unusual punishment later this month.