Warren Petersen, Kris Mayes Clash Over Sex Offender Registration Lawsuit

State Senator Warren Petersen (R-14) and Arizona Attorney General (AG) Kris Mayes clashed on social media over a lawsuit filed against the state's sex offender registration laws.

Registered sex offenders in Arizona are frequently on the registry for life. However, a new lawsuit challenged that, State Sen. Petersen explained while criticizing AG Mayes.

"Sex offenders sued Arizona, claiming our strong registration laws are 'cruel and unusual punishment,'" Peterson shared on social media. "When AG Kris Mayes refused to defend the law, I stepped up—intervened on behalf of the Legislature—and we WON in federal court. Lifetime registration for child predators stays."

AG Mayes fired back on social media, claiming that "two cases were brought challenging these laws. I fought the one against the State, which I represent, and won — stopping plaintiffs from blocking these laws from taking effect."

The AZ Mirror explains that Petersen and State Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro were involved in a case where a registered level 1 sex offender (the lowest in Arizona's system) argued that the lifetime registry is unconstitutional, but a judge turned it down.

Mayes is referring to a different lawsuit against new laws that would expand the number of level 1 offenders posted on the state's sex offender website and require offenders with children to report their children's names and schools. Several offenders are seeking to prevent these laws from taking effect, and the case is ongoing.

"You intervened to defend MCSO. The report you're citing even says so. Stop lying about it, Senator," AG Mayes argued.

Responding to Petersen, Mayes argued that "politicizing the protection of children from predators is a gross choice to make. Sen. Petersen and I disagree on a lot of things. This isn't one of them. Why lie about it?"