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Municipal courts cutting costs
Fewer tax dollars has led Phoenix and other cities to cut municipal court costs. To save money on utilities, Avondale's city court closes one day a week. City Manager Charlie McClendon said he had little choice but to close the city court each Friday.
Maricopa County to get new presiding judge
Judge Norman J. Davis has been selected to become the new presiding judge of Maricopa County Superior Court on July 1. Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch announced the selection Dec. 29.
SRP tiptoes along ‘political subdivision’ designation
In defining its legal status, Salt River Project stays firmly in limbo: When sued by customers, the utility takes shelter in its designation as a political subdivision of the state; when challenged to produce public records, it argues that it doesn't fit the definition of a public body.
Courts busy in 2009, but definitive rulings sparse
In 2009, the Arizona Supreme Court issued almost three-dozen opinions on public endeavors ranging from the death penalty to legislative redistricting, access to public records and the extent of the Attorney General's power to fight illegal immigration.
Lawyer likens Thomas to late Sen. McCarthy
The lawyer for an embroiled Phoenix-area politician on Dec. 15 accused Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas of investigating his client for political and personal motives. Colin Campbell, who represents Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, is questioning why Thomas's office filed 36 charges against Wilcox, and said "there are elementary mistakes of fact in the allegations that suggest[...]
AG opinion says SRP must comply with public records law
Salt River Project has filed documents in Maricopa County Superior Court arguing that it is exempt from the state's public record laws because it is not technically a public body. SRP is one of the largest utility companies in the state and is considered a quasi-governmental agency because it operates as both a private, for-profit company and a political subdivision of the state.
Brewer: No intervention in Maricopa controversy
Gov. Jan Brewer said the state's budget crisis precludes her from even considering any intervention in current legal and personality clashes within the Maricopa County government. Brewer told The Associated Press on Dec. 14 that she has not looked into whether she should or could intervene.
Judge wants to split Renzi case into 3 trials
TUCSON a�� The criminal case against former U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi of Arizona and three other men should be split into three trials, a federal magistrate recommended. If the suggestion is accepted by another judge, the Republican could go to trial twice.
Police union files claim against Mesa
MESA - A union representing Mesa police officers is moving toward filing a lawsuit against the city and its police department, claiming SWAT officers are owed $225,000 in pay.
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.
Grand jury indicts 2 Maricopa County supervisors
A grand jury has indicted two Maricopa County supervisors on criminal charges in separate cases, a move that intensifies a nasty dispute between county officials and the county's two top law enforcement officials.
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[...]
