Limon v. Kansas
What's at Stake
In February of 2000, Limon and another male teenager were both students at the same residential school for developmentally disabled youth in Miami County, Kansas. A week after Limon's 18th birthday, he performed consensual oral sex on the other teenager, who was nearly 15 years old - three years, one month and a few days younger. Because Kansas's so-called "Romeo and Juliet" law gives much lighter sentences to heterosexual teenagers who have sex with younger teens but specifically excludes gay teenagers, Limon was sentenced to 17 years in prison. A heterosexual teenager with the same record would serve no longer than 15 months for the same offense.
Summary
Status: Victory! A unanimous Kansas Supreme Court overturns conviction.
Legal Documents
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10/21/2005
Limon v. Kansas - Decision
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10/10/2002
Limon v. Kansas - ACLU's Petition For Writ Of Certiorari
Date Filed: 10/10/2002
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10/03/2003
Limon v. Kansas - ACLU's Reply Brief on Rehearing
Date Filed: 10/03/2003
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09/11/2003
Limon v. Kansas - ACLU's Opening Brief on Rehearing
Date Filed: 09/11/2003
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04/11/2006
Limon v. Kansas - State's Supplemental Brief on Review
Date Filed: 04/11/2006
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03/21/2005
Limon v. Kansas - ACLU's Supplemental Response Brief on Review
Date Filed: 03/21/2005
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03/21/2005
Limon v. Kansas - State's Reply Brief on Rehearing
Date Filed: 03/21/2005
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03/21/2005
Limon v. Kansas - ACLU's Reply to Kansas Legisators' Brief
Date Filed: 03/21/2005
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03/21/2005
Limon v. Kansas - National Association of Social Workers Amicus Brief
Date Filed: 03/21/2005
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03/21/2005
Limon v. Kansas - Public Health Organizations Amicus Brief
Date Filed: 03/21/2005
Press Releases
ACLU Applauds Unanimous Kansas Supreme Court Decision Reversing Conviction of Gay Teen Unfairly Punished under "Romeo and Juliet" Law
Kansas Supreme Court Hears Appeal of Gay Teen Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison
ACLU Asks Kansas Supreme Court to Drop 17-Year Prison Sentence of Gay Teenager
ACLU Fires Back at Kansas Attorney General in Latest Round over 17-Year Prison Sentence of Bisexual Teenager
Kansas Supreme Court to Hear ACLU Appeal of 17-Year Prison Sentence for Gay Teenager
ACLU Asks Supreme Court to Strike Down Anti-Gay Kansas Law