The state Supreme Court says when sheriff’s deputies commit negligence while doing their job, it is the county sheriff who faces liability and not the county.
The opinion stems from a lawsuit filed against Maricopa County after a sheriff’s deputy driving a county-owned vehicle rear ended another driver in 2021.
The Arizona Supreme Court says a claim should have been made against the sheriff because the accident occurred when the deputy was carrying out the duties of a law enforcement officer. Those are set by the state Legislature, not a county, which can only fiscally supervise an elected sheriff.
The high court also says it's adopting a basic principle that counties won’t be held responsible for work the sheriff is legally required to do but the county did not order.
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A Maricopa County Superior Court Judge has ruled that Arizona’s anti-SLAPP law is constitutional after the County Attorney's Office tried to have it struck down. -
The murder of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles in 1976 is still one of the most notable events in Phoenix history. But despite that, nobody’s written a comprehensive historical book about the case — until now. -
A new report from Human Rights First shows the number of ICE deportation flights were at a historic high again in March, even in the midst of the partial government shutdown. -
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is warning residents about an increase of construction scams targeting small guest houses and casitas commonly built in backyards. -
The Tucson Police Department recently encrypted its radio communications, effectively blocking the public from listening.
