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Paul Petersen – a case of political expediency over justice
It’s been almost five years since Paul Petersen, the former Maricopa County assessor, was sentenced and imprisoned by the federal government for violating a federal compact. Now that Petersen concludes […]
Arizona’s 290-Year sentence was a failure of justice
Gov. Katie Hobbs recently denied clemency to Carl Buske, a man serving a 290-year sentence in Arizona for possession of child sexual abuse material. I want to be clear from […]
Prison oversight office approved, but lacks funds to get started
Key Points: Governor OK’d creation of independent prison oversight office No appropriation in budget makes finding funding a crucial next step Lawmakers, proponents still hopeful for a robust oversight body […]
The hidden cost of incarceration – Arizona’s forgotten children
We collect data on test scores, attendance and graduation rates. But we have no idea how many children have a parent behind bars. Why? In Arizona, many young people are […]
Budget proposal pushes money, job training, education and therapy for wrongfully convicted prisoners
Key Points: Budget proposes compensation for exonerated inmates Proposal includes counseling, training, and educational support services Lawmakers believe it creates accountability for state’s past mistakes Drayton Witt was stabbed 73 […]
Why urban crime policy keeps failing, and what ‘Strain Theory’ tells us to do
Despite countless promises to “clean up crime” in Phoenix, the city remains one of the most violent cities in the nation. Empirical findings state that the city of Phoenix’s crime […]
Was Aaron Gunches execution a state-assisted suicide?
In between the setting of IV lines and the reading of his death warrant, Aaron Gunches uttered his — albeit unofficial — last words. “What’s the hold up?” He said […]
It’s time for a new direction in sexual offense policy
At a time when the American Law Institute, virtually all available research and a growing body of public and professional opinion reflects the reality that our current sexual offense policies do not work, it is important for Arizona to take a new direction.
A misused narrative: the real two-tiered justice system
There's been a disquieting narrative circulating in our political sphere. It's the claim that we live under a two-tiered justice system, but how it is framed isn’t accurate. This talking point, oft-repeated by Republican politicians and pundits, uses the perceived differences between the legal experiences of former President Donald Trump and the son of current President Joe Biden as evidence of [...]
Senate Minority leader leaves leadership to run for Congress
Sen. Minority Leader Raquel Terán, D-Phoenix, is stepping down from her leadership role in the Senate to run for Congressman Ruben Gallego, D-AZ's, congressional seat.
Darcy Olsen: A new generation of justice for foster kids
Even after seven years as a foster parent, Darcy Olsen still gets teary eyed talking about the children who have come into her life. Not just for those the system has failed but also for the success stories.
Supreme Court Justice Ann Scott Timmer: Fourth of a kind
Only four women have served on the Arizona Supreme Court. But Justice Ann Scott Timmer found the one silver lining to the state’s gross underrepresentation at its highest court: “The good news is I’m in the top five of all time.”
