This bill proposes to amend the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new section, 12-752, which establishes specific requirements for filing criminal charges against individuals identified as "politically engaged persons." Under the new law, any criminal charges against such individuals must receive prior approval from a majority of the attorney general and all county attorneys, ensuring that the decision aligns with the standards typically applied in similar cases. If these approvals are not obtained, the court is mandated to dismiss the charges without prejudice, unless the prosecuting authority can demonstrate that the personnel involved in the case were unaware of the individual's politically engaged status at the time of filing.

The bill also defines "politically engaged person" to include current or former elected officials, candidates for office, entities involved in electoral or legislative advocacy, and individuals or entities associated with these groups within the last four years. This definition broadens the scope of protection for those involved in political activities, aiming to safeguard them from potential misuse of the criminal justice system. Overall, the proposed changes seek to enhance public participation in government by ensuring that politically engaged individuals are not unjustly targeted by criminal charges.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-752