Arizona lawmakers passed Preston’s Law, named after a 16-year-old boy who was killed by a group of teens at a party in 2023. The bill, House Bill 2611, upgrades assault to aggravated assault if the attacker has two or more accomplices, making the offense a Class 4 felony. The case drew attention to teen violence in the East Valley, where other teenagers had been attacked by a group of teens for over a year.
The bill received bipartisan support in the Arizona House, with legislators voting 37-21 in favor of passing it. Some lawmakers expressed opposition, concerned that kids could be charged with felonies for schoolyard fights. However, supporters argued that the legislation was necessary to combat mob violence and give prosecutors the tools needed to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
HB 2611 will now move on to the Arizona Senate for consideration. Overall, the passing of Preston’s Law signifies a commitment from Arizona lawmakers to crack down on mob violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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