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Adult crime, adult time: How Texas fast-tracked kids to life in prison

Before he could vote, before he could drive, before he made it into high school, Miguel Navarro was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Now he’s fighting for a second chance to be seen – in the eyes of the court – as a child.

by Alain Stephens and Hannah McBride, Texas Standard

Miguel Navarro was certified to be tried by Texas courts as an adult at age 16, after stabbing two young men at a party.
Credit: Hannah McBride/Texas Standard

Before he could vote, before he could drive, before he made it into high school, Miguel Navarro was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Now he’s fighting for a second chance to be seen – in the eyes of the court – as a child.

Read the full story at Texas Standard.

Read criminal justice coverage from The Texas Tribune:

  • Before they can earn their freedom, about 40 female Texas prisoners are piloting a six-month program that focuses on decision-making and life skills. 
  • Texas county jails have seen an almost 60 percent decrease in suicides from last year.
  • Dads in a maximum-security lockup in Brazoria County hold on to hope by holding on to their kids.
  • Could the police-civilian divide be healed with Texas schools teaching how to act when stopped by law enforcement? Lawmakers are exploring the idea.

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Information about the authors

Alain Stephens and Hannah McBride

TEXAS STANDARD