By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
The head of the Arizona Police Association is rejecting arguments that legislation to include rioting in racketeering and conspiracy statutes will chill the rights of Arizonans to protest.
Levi Bolton told Capitol Media Services Monday he does not want changes to SB1142, which he helped craft, despite claims by foes that it needs to be curbed — or killed entirely — to prevent abuse by police and prosecutors.
The legislation approved by the state Senate last week and awaiting House action expands the definition of rioting, which already is illegal, to include damage to property. More significant, it allows prosecutors to charge people with conspiracy ahead of any actual event and permits prosecutors to go after the assets of those they contend were involved in planning a demonstration.
And under current racketeering laws, the burden of proof to take someone’s property does not require anyone actually be charged with a crime, much less convicted.
