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Recent Articles from Christian Palmer
UpClose with Harold ‘Hal’ Fish
Five-and-a-half years ago, Harold "Hal" Fish shot and killed a man while hiking in northern Arizona. The event launched a change in the state's self-defense laws, drew national attention and made him a martyr among fervent supporters of the Second Amendment.
Harper looks to protect teachers against punitive-damage awards
State lawmakers are setting their sights on tort reform measures aimed at protecting educators and capping civil litigation awards arising from cases of death and injury. The two referendums, SCR 1001 and SCR 1003, have been introduced by Surprise Republican Sen. Jack Harper, who said he is seeking to guard educators, businesses and public entities from overzealous litigation.
AZ Supreme Court hears case of drug-sniffing canine
About four years ago, police led a drug-sniffing dog to the garage of Jose Salvador Guillen, asked his wife for permission to enter the garage and then detected an odor of marijuana. Police, who were acting on a tip they had received eight months prior, obtained a search warrant and discovered bales of marijuana inside freezers in the garage. Guillen was later arrested and charged with possessi[...]
Stricter regs needed for medical pot
Supporters of an effort to legalize medical marijuana in Arizona have taken steps to avoid some of the problems that have riddled California since voters there passed Proposition 215 in 1996. Californians approved a seven-paragraph initiative that protects physicians, caregivers and medical marijuana patients from prosecution. But it led to a massive outgrowth of doctors who prescribe the drug [...]
Harold Fish wins another legal battle over 2004 killing
The Arizona Supreme Court on Dec. 1 delivered the third legal victory for West Valley resident Harold Fish, who garnered national attention and a 10-year sentence for his fatal shooting of a man on a northern Arizona hiking trail.
Supreme Court won’t hear water fund sweep challenge
For the moment, the state Legislature can count out one of the many lawsuits it faces, as the Arizona Supreme Court will not hear a challenge to the sweeping of millions of dollars from a fund used to carry out a multi-state water-rights agreement.
High court won’t hear suit challenging new immigration law
The Arizona Supreme Court announced on Dec. 2 it will not hear a lawsuit filed by local governments that sought to challenge legislation affecting land development and public benefits for immigrants. The petition for special action filed with the court on Nov. 23 by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns charged that the provisions in question were unconstitutionally included in a state budget [...]
Goddard takes pro-gun stance in Supreme Court case
After sitting on the sidelines while the U.S. Supreme Court mulled a 2008 landmark gun control case affecting the nation's capital, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has added his name to a legal brief that asks the court to strike a handgun ban enacted by the city of Chicago.
Former Phoenix police employee takes helm of medical marijuana initiative
The push for legalized medical marijuana use in Arizona has gone from corporate to personal, now that the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project has designated a Tucson woman suffering from multiple sclerosis to head its 2010 ballot initiative committee.
Clean Elections bans ‘slate strategy’
The future of Clean Elections matching funds is up in the air, but on Nov. 17 the Citizens Clean Elections Commission voted to ban a campaign strategy involving the funds.
Repeal of mortgage bill signed into law
The Arizona Bankers Association's goal of clamping down on speculative investors who fueled the state's foreclosure crisis will have to wait, now that state lawmakers and Gov. Jan Brewer repealed contested foreclosure legislation passed earlier this year.
Teacher’s union seeks court intervention in policy changes
Arizona’s largest teachers’ union has asked the state Supreme Court to overturn laws that affect the pay and retention of public school teachers. In a 32-page petition for special action,... […]
