Maricopa County Attorney on high-profile cases

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is set to address several major law enforcement and public safety issues. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss these topics.

In this wide-ranging discussion on current cases and community concerns, Mitchell discussed recent high-profile cases, new indictments and charges filed in Maricopa County, as well as law enforcement sweeps along the 27th Avenue Corridor in Phoenix, known as “The Blade.” The operation led to dozens of arrests as detectives worked to crack down on human trafficking. However, survivor advocates have criticized the approach.

Mitchell also discussed a recent road rage incident, with input on how self-defense claims are handled in road rage situations, and what prosecutors consider when reviewing these cases.

“…it’s so preventable,” Mitchell said, “…you have two people who are obviously involved in something that… anger is flaring…and now you have somebody who’s dead…over nothing.”

Mitchell is referring to a road rage incident that occurred recently in the Maricopa area, in which an individual was shot and killed.

“…it is something that I think a jury will take into account is what other steps could be taken,” Mitchell explained, “…the law does not require retreat, what it requires is being in imminent fear for yourself or someone else…it’s an objective standard of do other people think that what you did was reasonable.”

Just recently, Maricopa County conducted law enforcement sweeps under an operation known as “The Blade,” hoping to crack down on human trafficking in the state.

“This is just the beginning of the effort to clean up 27th avenue,” Mitchell said, “…we’re also going after the customers that are soliciting prostitution acts, we’re also going after the traffickers…because 27th avenue has become such an epicenter.”

Just as important as focusing on arresting buyers, Mitchell stressed the importance of focusing on victims so that they can get the proper care that they might need.