Lawmakers in the Arizona House of Representatives have passed Preston’s Law, a bill aimed at combating mob violence and ensuring tougher penalties for individuals involved in group assaults.
The bill, named after Preston Lord, a 16-year-old from San Tan Valley who was tragically killed by a group of teens at a Halloween party in 2023, passed with bipartisan support, receiving a 37-21 vote.
The Bill: House Bill 2611, also known as Preston’s Law, seeks to upgrade assault charges to aggravated assault when the attacker is accompanied by two or more accomplices. The bill would make such offenses a Class 4 felony, imposing harsher penalties for group violence.
Rep. Matt Gress, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized the importance of giving prosecutors the tools they need to tackle mob violence, stating, “That mob violence should not be tolerated at all.”
Background on Preston Lord’s Death: Preston Lord was attacked while leaving a Halloween party in October 2023. Police reported that seven teenagers were involved in the brutal assault, which ultimately led to Preston’s death. The incident is part of a larger trend of teen violence in the East Valley, where similar group attacks have been reported for over a year. The case has brought the issue of teen violence to the forefront in the region.
Support and Opposition: While the bill has received bipartisan support, it has also faced criticism. Rep. Steve Montenegro, House Speaker and Republican from Legislative District 29, strongly supported the bill, declaring, “Mob violence will not be tolerated in Arizona,” and vowed to hold perpetrators accountable.
However, there has been some opposition. Rep. Lupe Contreras, a Democrat, raised concerns that the bill could lead to felony charges for children involved in minor schoolyard fights. He expressed concern about punishing children who may not have caused serious harm.
Similarly, Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Republican, argued that the bill was unnecessary, stating that existing laws already provided the tools needed to address such cases and that the bill might unjustly punish teenagers for less severe offenses.
Looking Ahead: Despite the opposition, Rep. Khyl Powell, a Republican from Legislative District 14, emphasized the need for lawmakers to act, calling Preston Lord’s death “absolutely unforgivable.” With the bill now passed, it will move forward to the next stage in the legislative process.
Preston’s Law is seen by many as a necessary step in addressing rising violence among teenagers and holding accountable those who participate in group assaults.
