Maricopa County attorney eyes charges against parents as Preston’s Law cases surge

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said Thursday she has directed her juvenile division to actively look for cases where criminal charges against parents may be appropriate in connection with teen violence.

“There are laws on the books that we can take a look at, and I’ve directed my juvenile division for when they receive submittals related to juveniles, that they should keep an open eye for when charges are appropriate,” Mitchell said at a news conference.

Preston’s Law charges mount across the East Valley

Preston’s Law, signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs in May 2025, created a new category of felony aggravated assault for “swarming” when three or more attackers target a single victim.

The law is named after Preston Lord, a Queen Creek teenager who was beaten to death at a house party in 2023.

Since the law took effect in September, Mitchell’s office has charged 63 people, more than half of them juveniles. Twenty-one juvenile cases have been filed since April alone.

Surprise Police and Queen Creek Police said their departments are also scrutinizing the role of parents.

“If they’re contributing to the delinquency of these minors and making these kinds of things happen, yeah, we’re definitely going to look at that,” Surprise Police Chief Evan Becher said.

Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice said officers encounter a range of parental responses, from cooperation to outright denial.

“Some of it is just they’re not willing to really understand the reality of it,” Brice said. “Then some, they don’t care.”

Mitchell said her office’s “Report Don’t Repost” campaign urges the public to send videos of teen violence to police rather than sharing them on social media, where they generate attention but rarely lead to accountability.

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