Twelve elected county attorneys have asked Governor Katie Hobbs to rescind her Executive Order that attempts to strip their ability to review cases as duly-elected local officials.

Executive Order 2023-11 sets a “dangerous precedent,” by interfering with the discretion of prosecutors. The letter reads, in part:

“Executive Order 2023-11… suggests that any Arizona governor can order the attorney general to assume all duties related to an entire category of criminal prosecution and, by consequence, prohibit local prosecutors from acting. “

“This executive order results in an exercise of authority not vested in the governor’s office. It is a substantial overreach to suggest the governor may strip away prosecutorial discretion from local, elected officials.”

The letter asks the governor to rescind Section 1 and portions of Section 2 of the executive order before July 7, 2023. Read the letter here. 

No additional information on Governor Hobbs’ response was available.