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States rush to catch up with campaign finance ruling
Arizona is moving quickly to rewrite its laws in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations and labor unions to spend money directly on political campaigns, but a handful of states might be in legal limbo until after the 2010 elections.
Tucson loses suit challenging nonpartisan voting
TUCSON - A Pima County Superior Court judge ruled against the city of Tucson March 4 in its challenge of a new state law requiring nonpartisan, ward-only elections.
Senate votes to tighten evidence standard
State court judges would have a tighter screen to use when deciding expert testimony that juries hear in civil cases under a bill approved 20-8 by the Arizona Senate, sending the measure to the House.
Bills requiring schools to count illegal students advance
Republicans are trying to pass a law that would require public schools to determine which of their students are illegal immigrants and then report their findings to the state.
Man charged in speed-camera killing to go to trial
A man charged with killing the operator of a speed-camera van along a Phoenix freeway has been found competent to stand trial and will not face the death penalty, a judge said Feb. 24.
Judge explains why he halted abortion laws
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge on Feb. 17 said he stopped significant provisions of abortion restrictions from taking effect because they would have burdened patients and abortion providers.
High court chooses precedent over direct impact
Judges don't often tell defendants that their actions were wrong and permissible at the same time. But the Arizona Supreme Court lately has tended to say, "You can do that this time, but never again."
Federal court policies a bad omen for backers of matching funds
A precedent established by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1980s does not bode well for Clean Elections supporters who are hoping to keep matching funds in place until after this year's elections.
Bill targeting child prostitution advances
A House committee unanimously approved legislation that would carve out a lesser crime for men who unknowingly solicit child prostitutes, while still retaining tougher penalties for those who knowingly pay children for sex.
Legislation would lengthen divorce wait time
Social conservatives say Arizona should stand up for marriage by making it take longer to untie the knot. A Senate committee on Feb. 17 approved a bill to triple to 180 days the state's current 60-day period that courts must wait before considering a divorce request.
Paton bill aims to protect Arizonans from libel tourism
Dr. Zuhdi Jasser isn't reluctant to speak his mind about oil barons he believes to be financiers of terrorism. He does so through the group he founded, the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, and its Web site.
Supreme Court declines to lift stay in Clean Elections case
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request to lift a stay blocking implementation of a judge's order that overturns a key part of Arizona's public campaign financing system.
