AZ State Representatives Introduce Bill Stiffening Penalties for Group Assault Crimes

Arizona Capitol

State Representatives Matt Gress (R-4), Laurin Hendrix (D-14), Michael Way (D-15), Jeff Weninger (R-13), and Julie Willoughby (R-13) have introduced a bipartisan bill stiffening the penalties for group assault crimes in Arizona.

House Bill 2611, also known as "Preston's Law," is named after Preston Lord, a 16-year-old boy who was violently murdered by seven minors at a Queen Creek Halloween party in 2023.

As a result, the bill would increase the felony status of group attacks perpetrated by three or more assailants from a Class 6 to Class 4 with no allowances to be lowered to a misdemeanor and extend the jail time from 1 year to 2.5 years.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell told KTAR that the bill would likely pass the Arizona House and Senate to become law under Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ), saying, "This isn't a partisan issue; it's bipartisan, and I can't imagine it won't get an overwhelming vote by both houses of the Legislature and signed by the governor."

On the day Preston's Law was introduced, Rep. Gress held a press conference about the bill alongside Lord's family, which he posted to X (formerly Twitter).

"Today, I was honored to be joined by the family of Preston Lord, a 16-year-old from San Tan Valley who was brutally murdered in 2023 by a teen gang, along with County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and several legislative colleagues to introduce "Preston's Law" - HB 2611," Rep. Gress posted.

"Preston's Law strengthens the criteria for aggravated assault charges. It includes provisions targeting assaults involving three or more people, which would result in enhanced penalties," Gress's post continued.

Additionally, he declared, "In Arizona, mob violence will not be tolerated."

Within the clip, Gress stressed how "the goal is straightforward: to ensure accountability for those who cause harm and deter others from following the same path. Preston's Law will help us protect our communities and give law enforcement the resources they need to pursue justice effectively."

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.