ARIZONA NEWS

12 Arizona county attorneys call for Gov. Hobbs to rescind executive order on abortion prosecution

Jul 3, 2023, 8:30 PM | Updated: 8:59 pm

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs budget...

(Arizona Governor's Office Photo)

(Arizona Governor's Office Photo)

PHOENIX — Twelve elected county attorneys are calling for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to rescind her executive order, which strips the state’s 15 county attorneys from prosecuting abortion-related cases.

In a letter to the governor, the attorneys stated the duty and discretion to conduct criminal prosecutions for public offenses rests with them unless a statute specifically provides otherwise.

The attorneys want Gov. Hobbs to rescind Section 1 and portions of Section 2 of the order by Friday.

Christian Slater, communications director for Gov. Hobbs office, released a statement on Twitter saying the order will not be rescinded.

Section 1 of the order gives prosecutorial authority over abortion-related cases solely to the attorney general. However, the attorneys said in the letter the executive order suggests any Arizona governor can order the attorney general to assume all duties related to an entire category of criminal prosecution.

The attorneys said the order sets a “dangerous precedent,” by interfering with the discretion of prosecutors, according to a press release Monday.

“This executive order results in an exercise of authority not vested in the governor’s office. It is a substantial overreach to suggest the governor may strip away prosecutorial discretion from local, elected officials,” the attorneys said in the press release.

Section 2 of the order directs state agencies not to assist in investigations by other states into crimes related to reproductive health care that would not be punishable under Arizona law.

The attorneys said in the letter the restrictions would limit access to criminal history records or crime lab support and state agencies do not include any county-level government officers and agencies.

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Firebird Motorsports Park....

KTAR.com

Chandler racing complex renamed Firebird Motorsports Park

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has a new name -- Firebird Motorsports Park.

2 hours ago

Pamela Andrews...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 68-year-old woman located

The Mesa Police Department canceled a Silver Alert on Saturday after locating Pamela Andrew, the Arizona Department of Safety says.

2 hours ago

Silver Alert...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 81-year-old found dead

John Saler, an 81-year-old who went missing in Tonopah on Wednesday, was found deceased, authorities said Saturday.

4 hours ago

Southwest Human Development...

KTAR.com

New Head Start early education center set to open in Phoenix

Southwest Human Development will host an open house for a new Head Start campus in Phoenix next week.

6 hours ago

caution tape...

KTAR.com

Woman charged with murdering her husband in west Valley home

A woman is behind bars for allegedly murdering her husband in their west Valley home, according to police.

8 hours ago

(Twitter Photo)...

KTAR.com

Police investigating deadly shooting near ASU West campus

Police are investigating an incident in Glendale that left one man dead and another man hospitalized on Friday night.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(KTAR News Graphic)...

KTAR launches online holiday auction benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

KTAR is teaming up with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley for a holiday auction benefitting thousands of Valley kids.

Follow @KTAR923...

The 2023 Diamondbacks are a good example to count on the underdog

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the World Series as a surprise. That they made the playoffs at all, got past the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card round, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and won two road games in Philadelphia to close out a full seven-game NLCS went against every expectation. Now, […]

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) wants to help Valley residents address back, neck issues through awake spine surgery

As the weather begins to change, those with back issues can no longer rely on the dry heat to aid their backs. That's where DISC comes in.

12 Arizona county attorneys call for Gov. Hobbs to rescind executive order on abortion prosecution