Purpose

Provides that threatening or intimidating a known elected official of the state, a county, a city or other political subdivision of the state is a class 6 felony.

Background

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) states the threatening of elected officials has significantly increased over the last three years and has moved beyond the threatening and intimidating stage with the actual shooting of an elected official. MCSO hopes this legislation will discourage individuals from making threats toward elected officials in the future. Under current law, threatening or intimidating another person by word or conduct, including threats of physical injury or serious property damage, is a class 1 misdemeanor.

This amendment provides that threatening or intimidating an elected official, if these actions are knowingly directed toward the elected official while performing official duties or the act is motivated by any past official act or duty of the elected official, is a class 6 felony.

The fiscal impact of the amendment is unknown at this time.

Provisions

1. Provides that threatening or intimidating a known elected official of the state, a county, a city or other political subdivision of the state is a class 6 felony, if it occurs while the elected official is performing official duties or is motivated by any past official act or duty of the elected official.

2. Makes technical changes.

3. Provides for a general effective date.

LB/SR/jas