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Maricopa County Attorney Changes Charging Policies To Reduce COVID-19 Exposure

By Jimmy Jenkins
Published: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - 8:23pm
Updated: Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 8:50am
Maricopa County Attorney's Office
Allister Adel

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office says it will change it’s charging decisions to address the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The County Attorney’s Office says it is trying to walk the line between stopping the spread of the coronavirus while ensuring the security of the community.

To that end, spokesperson Jennifer Liewer said County Attorney Allister Adel "has directed prosecutors to prioritize charging decisions to reduce the number of people interacting with the court system."

Liewer said they are also responding to motions on a case by case basis from defense counsel who seek to modify release conditions related to complications from COVID-19.

Calling it a fluid situation, Liewer said the courts have discretion over these decisions.

A spokesperson for the Superior Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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