Phoenix Councilwoman Anna Hernandez Demands Justice for 16-Year-Old Ma’liea Greer, Calls for End to Charging Children as Adults

District 7 Joins Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro and Community Advocates as Teen Faces Possible Prison Sentence Despite Being on Track to Graduate

PHOENIX, AZ — November 5, 2026 — Phoenix City Councilwoman Anna Hernandez is calling for changes to Arizona’s juvenile justice system as she stands alongside 16-year-old Ma’liea Greer, her family, and community organizations advocating for fair treatment of children facing criminal charges.

Greer was just 15 years old when she was charged as an adult. Now 16, she is reportedly on track to graduate from school in December and could begin pursuing higher education at Arizona State University.

However, according to her family and advocates, Greer faces the possibility of incarceration and solitary confinement, raising concerns about how young people, particularly Black children, are treated within Arizona’s criminal justice system.

Hernandez’s District 7 office announced its support for Greer ahead of a Thursday morning press conference at the Central Court Building in downtown Phoenix.

The event brings together community organizations, family members, legal advocates, and criminal justice reform groups calling for greater protections and opportunities for young people.

Councilwoman Hernandez: ‘Ma’liea Is a Child’

In a statement supporting Greer, Councilwoman Hernandez strongly criticized the decision to prosecute the teenager as an adult.

“Ma’liea is a child. She is a student about to graduate, with a future at ASU waiting for her, and the system is choosing to treat her like she is disposable,” Hernandez said.

The councilwoman argued that Arizona’s justice system disproportionately punishes Black children and that adult criminal charges can deprive young people of opportunities for rehabilitation.

“We know Black children in this state are punished more harshly than their peers for the same things, and we know that plea deals and adult charges are being used to push young people into cages instead of into opportunity,” Hernandez said.

She also condemned the possibility of placing a teenager in solitary confinement.

“Putting a 16-year-old in solitary confinement isn’t justice. It’s violence.”

Hernandez emphasized that her office intends to support Greer, her family, and other young people facing similar circumstances.

“Our office stands with Ma’liea, with her family, and with every young person this system has decided to give up on. We won’t give up on them.”

Family and Advocates Raise Concerns About Unequal Treatment

According to the District 7 statement, Greer’s family and supporters believe she is facing significantly harsher consequences than other young people involved in comparable circumstances.

Advocates claim that some peers received probation or lighter sentences, while Greer faces potential prison time.

The statement did not identify those other cases or provide the underlying court records necessary to independently compare the circumstances, charges, or sentencing outcomes.

Greer’s specific charges, plea status, and upcoming court dates were also not included in the announcement.

These details will be important in determining how her case has progressed through the judicial system and what legal options remain available.

Her supporters argue that the focus should be on rehabilitation, education, and the opportunity for Greer to continue building her future.

Three Demands for Arizona’s Juvenile Justice System

Councilwoman Hernandez’s office has endorsed three demands presented by Greer’s supporters and community organizations.

1. Give Ma’liea the Same Opportunities as Her Peers

Advocates are calling for fair treatment that considers Greer’s age, educational progress, and potential for rehabilitation.

They argue that young people should have meaningful opportunities to learn from their actions without permanently losing access to education and career opportunities.

2. Stop Charging Children as Adults

Community organizations are demanding an end to the practice of prosecuting minors in adult criminal courts.

Supporters of juvenile justice reform argue that children should be treated differently from adults because they are still developing emotionally, socially, and neurologically.

Arizona law permits certain juvenile cases to proceed in adult court, including mandatory adult prosecution for some serious offenses involving older juveniles.

Changing those laws would generally require action at the state level.

3. Expand Resources for Young People and Families

The coalition is also calling on cities, counties, and schools to provide accessible, sustainable, and comprehensive support services.

These resources could include educational programs, mental health services, family assistance, mentorship, and community-based intervention programs.

Advocates argue that investing in these services can help address challenges facing young people before they become involved in the criminal justice system.

District 7 Calls for a Phoenix Budget That Invests in Youth

Beyond supporting Greer’s case, Hernandez’s office is connecting the campaign to broader discussions about how Phoenix allocates public resources.

The District 7 office says it will advocate for a city budget that prioritizes investments in young people and families rather than policies that contribute to their criminalization.

The office also highlighted the District 7 Budget Working Group as a way for residents to participate in decisions about public spending.

Through community involvement, the councilwoman hopes to direct more resources toward programs that support youth development, family stability, and neighborhood opportunities.

Although the Phoenix City Council does not control state criminal prosecution decisions, city officials can influence local funding priorities and youth services.

Community Organizations Unite in Support of Greer

Several advocacy organizations are participating in the November 5 press conference.

The announced participants include Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro, the Anti Police-Terror Project, Decarcerate Arizona, the Justice for Jacob Harris Coalition, and the Free the Phoenix Three coalition.

Greer’s family and representatives from Councilwoman Hernandez’s District 7 office are also expected to participate.

The gathering is intended to demonstrate community support for Greer while raising broader questions about juvenile prosecution, racial disparities, and rehabilitation.

Press Conference Details

Event: Press Conference and Community Support for Ma’liea Greer

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026

Time: 8:00 a.m. Arizona time

Location: Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona

Participants: Ma’liea Greer’s family, District 7 representatives, community organizers, and criminal justice advocates.

Organizers indicated that family members, community leaders, and legal experts would be available for interviews before and after the event.

The Debate Over Charging Juveniles as Adults

The prosecution of minors in adult courts remains a significant issue in criminal justice policy.

Supporters of juvenile justice reform emphasize that adolescents differ from adults in their decision-making abilities, impulse control, and capacity for rehabilitation.

They argue that juvenile courts are better equipped to address those developmental differences while providing educational and rehabilitative services.

Others maintain that adult prosecution may be appropriate in certain serious cases, particularly when public safety concerns are substantial.

The debate often centers on how to balance accountability, rehabilitation, community safety, and the long-term consequences of incarceration.

In Greer’s case, her supporters believe her educational progress and age should be central considerations in determining an appropriate outcome.

The legal facts and allegations underlying her prosecution have not been fully detailed in the District 7 statement, and no conclusion about her guilt or innocence can be drawn from the announcement.

A Call for Accountability and Opportunity

For Councilwoman Hernandez and the organizations supporting Greer, the case represents a larger concern about the treatment of children in Arizona’s criminal justice system.

Their message is that young people should not be defined solely by criminal accusations or denied meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation and education.

With Greer reportedly approaching graduation and considering a future at Arizona State University, her supporters are urging officials to consider the lasting consequences of adult prosecution.

The campaign also places renewed attention on how Phoenix and Arizona can expand opportunities for young people while addressing concerns about fairness in the justice system.

Habari News will continue following Ma’liea Greer’s case, the community’s advocacy efforts, and the broader debate over prosecuting juveniles as adults in Arizona.

Source: Office of Phoenix City Councilwoman Anna Hernandez, District 7, November 5, 2026, official statement. Claims about comparative sentencing, potential solitary confinement, and Greer’s educational plans are attributed to her family, advocates, and the councilwoman’s office.

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