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Tough-on-crime prosecutors distort truth, block prison reform
While the criminal justice reform movement gains momentum across the country, Arizona remains on the outside looking in. Even as more conservative states with a tradition of harsh justice reduce prison populations through smart reforms that target the root causes of crime, Arizona persists in the failed policies of mass incarceration, wasting resources to imprison low-level offenders.
21st century prosecutors strive for far more than convictions
The prosecution function has come a long way in the last two decades across the country and here in Maricopa County.
Bolick text to Ducey makes recommendation on political appointment
Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick urged Gov. Doug Ducey to name Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery to the U.S. Senate just days after John McCain died.
Much not told in ACLU report on criminal justice
What if we provided substance abuse treatment from the point of admission, and cognitive behavioral treatment? What if we just started with drug possession offenders? Re-entry programs are showing significant promise in reducing recidivism and so are diversion and deferred prosecution programs utilizing substance abuse treatment and cognitive behavioral therapies. We should be implementing similar[...]
Court overturns voter-approved measure to deny accused rapists bail
The state cannot deny the opportunity of accused rapists to seek release on bail even if the proof is evident before trial that the person committed the crime, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Friday.
The Breakdown, Episode 11: Where do we even begin?
Last week, the Capitol was abuzz with everything from talk of criminal justice reform to how to fund Arizona's public education system - and that's just the beginning.
Arizona resistant to change in ‘tough-on-crime’ sentencing laws
A lingering “tough-on-crime” mentality in Arizona is hampering efforts to reconstruct the state’s criminal justice system.
Ducey record on pardons, commutations not forgiving
Nearing the end of his first term, Ducey has granted only one pardon, to a man who stole a motorcycle in 1972. Other pardon recommendations sit dormant, leaving people awaiting a signature that could change their lives in fundamental ways.
Medical marijuana consumer-protection bill introduced
Republican Sonny Borrelli said Monday the fact remains that voters did approve legalizing the drug for medical uses in 2010 and more than 150,000 Arizonans have state permission to buy and use it.
Bipartisan effort to ‘reform’ sentencing underway
Two state lawmakers hope to do what has proven politically impossible for decades: Convince colleagues to consider sentencing reform.
Supreme Court lets lower-court ruling on marijuana sales to stand
The Arizona Supreme Court won't allow state and local officials to hide behind federal drug laws to throw roadblocks in the path of those who want to sell marijuana.
Civil rights attorney: Using seized funds for prisoner study a legal gray area
Profits from seized property are paying for the latest update to a study of Arizona’s prison population that prosecutors use to argue Arizona’s sentencing laws are working appropriately.
