By Lauren Castle | Arizona Republic
Years after criminal defense attorneys complained to the Arizona State Bar about the conduct of Maricopa County prosecutor Juan Martinez, the state’s highest court is recommending he be disciplined.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Martinez should receive a reprimand for ethical misconduct in three capital murder cases.
According to the court, this is Martinez’s first disciplinary sanction as a member of the bar. The reprimand is a permanent, public sanction on a lawyer’s discipline record, but it doesn’t prevent someone from continuing to practice law. There is a risk of more serious consequences if a lawyer continues to not follow the ethical rules.
“This sanction is not intended to punish Martinez, but rather to protect the public and the courts and to deter Martinez and others from engaging in similar misconduct,” Justice John R. Lopez IV wrote in the opinion.
