Is it true that a person can be given a life sentence for jaywalking?

One would have to imagine an extreme set of circumstances. If the "jaywalker" resisted, or had been cited so many times, that he was taken to jail. And once in, broke a variety of rules that landed him more time. Then committed some crime, or was framed for some crime, while in jail, that got him a prison sentence. Then committed or was framed for a crime that was a life sentence offense.

Or perhaps a massive paperwork snafu like in the movie "And Justice For All" where due to mistaken identity a person was sent to prison for someone else's crime when he was pulled over for a taillight being out.

Otherwise, no.