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For the second time, current Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has requested United States District Court Judge G. Murray Snow recuse himself as judge from the ongoing Melendres, et.al. v. Arpaio, et.al. civil class action racial profiling case. Arpaio and his Washington, DC-based legal team list the judge’s communicating with the independent monitor he appointed…
Following the announcement last week that federal prosecutors planned to press a criminal contempt-of-court charge against current Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, this week a misdemeanor criminal contempt charge was officially filed in United States District Court. A misdemeanor charge will not prevent Arpaio from continuing to hold his current office, and though subject to…
If you have been cited for Driving on a Suspended License (DOSL) in Arizona where the suspension was issued by a court for non-payment of a civil traffic fine, and you have reinstated your Arizona driver license (meaning, at a minimum, you paid a reinstatement fee to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division…
Body worn cameras are a tool designed to record police interactions with civilians, for a multitude of purposes. Primarily, the purpose of the cameras is to provide an impartial record of events, and to assist in fact-finding when problems arise, which increases accountability for the police and civilians alike. Studies have shown the use of…
A story arising from a protest at a Republican presidential rally in Prescott Valley October 4th raises very interesting points about the First Amendment and when, where and how we as Americans, and Arizonans in particular, have the right to exercise free speech. The rally, which took place at the Prescott Valley Event…
Former Pima County Sheriff Chief Deputy Chris Radtke, who resigned on Monday, has been indicted on federal money laundering and theft charges. Radtke is alleged to have misappropriated an estimated half a million dollars since 2011 from a department account, made up of funds seized in the course of criminal investigations, and which funds…
Yesterday federal prosecutors announced they are proceeding with criminal contempt-of-court charges against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, for his conduct in the Melendres, et.al. v. Arpaio, et.al. civil class action lawsuit. A US Department of Justice attorney stated investigation of obstruction of justice charges is ongoing, though no charges will now be filed. The…
Arizona Supreme Court holds the owner of a cell phone does not lose their privacy expectation in the contents of their cell phone by leaving the phone unlocked in another person’s apartment. Arizona Supreme Court also held that an overnight guest in another person’s residence does not lose their expectation of privacy in their…
A second opposition to Arizona civil forfeiture laws has been filed by the Institute of Justice. Touted as an important weapon with which the State can combat crime, by operation of law police can seize and institute forfeiture proceedings against property found incident to a criminal arrest, including property that does not belong to…
Though state law varies greatly, many states including Arizona restrict or remove the right to vote from persons convicted of felony criminal charges. A recent report by criminal justice reform group the Sentencing Project estimates more than six million Americans will be excluded from voting in the upcoming presidential election, though only about 1/4…