The Maricopa County attorney's office will once again be representing the county Board of Supervisors in civil court cases.

Differences of opinion, beliefs and convictions are encouraged to be shared and discussed in a civil society. In higher education, these differences are allegedly encouraged in all venues, from the classroom to the governing board room. Yet conservative viewpoints are not welcomed in the Maricopa County Community Colleges and there are a series of events, including our recent election, that illustrate efforts to silence anything but a liberal perspective.

A judge denied a request by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's lawyer to forbid the public release of videos of recent depositions by sheriff's officials in a racial profiling lawsuit against the agency.

It was the afternoon of Dec. 8, 2009, and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and his deputy, Lisa Aubuchon, wanted Judge Gary Donahoe off the bench before he heard a case scheduled for the next morning.

The eligibility to serve on the Independent Redistricting Commission will be in question for some of the 25 nominees whose names were passed onto legislative leaders Dec. 8.

An independent investigator is seeking the disbarment of former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and one of his deputies on allegations they abused their prosecutorial powers by retaliating and intimidating Thomas’ enemies.

An investigator appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court will release findings today of an investigation into alleged ethical violations of Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and two of his former deputies. At stake are their licenses to practice law.

Attorneys leading a lawsuit that accuses Maricopa County sheriff's deputies of racially profiling Hispanics in their immigration patrols are opposing a request to forbid the public release of videos of recent depositions by sheriff's officials.

Two former judges, a current judge and two Maricopa County officials have filed lawsuits claiming that Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former county attorney Andrew Thomas targeted them in baseless lawsuits and criminal investigations to retaliate for court rulings and budget cuts.

Newly appointed Arizona Supreme Court Justice Robert Brutinel, a Republican, will bring his rural roots and trial court experience to the bench. He edged out finalists Ann Scott Timmer, a Republican, and Diane Johnsen, a Democrat.