Maricopa County Attorney’s Office annual report 2 0 0 0 Richard M. Romley, County Attorney Mission Statement The Maricopa County Attorney is dedicated to the vigorous prosecution of those who commit crimes within the county. As the chief advocate for the State and the citizens of the community in criminal matters, the County Attorney seeks to provide the highest quality service and maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system. Criminals must be held accountable, while assuring that the statutory rights and emotional needs of victims and witnesses are properly addressed. Additionally, the County Attorney seeks to implement, promote and participate in programs that reduce crime and enhance the quality of community life. The County Attorney also contributes to excellence in local government by providing complete legal services to the county, its officers and political subdivisions. 1 Contents A Message From County Attorney Rick Romley . . . . . . . . Serving the Citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . Vertical Prosecution Builds Effective Partnerships ...... Major Crimes Attorney At the Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Specialization Leads to Successful Prosecution . . . . . . . . Victims Benefit From the Major Crimes Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bureaus Within the Major Crimes Division ............ 6 Homicide . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sex Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Gang/ROP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3 4 4 5 6 6 Vehicular Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Family Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Special Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Technology and Electronic Crimes (TEC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Richard M. Romley Maricopa County Attorney ......... 14 Overview of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office . . . . . . . . . . 15 MCAO Organizational Chart ...... 16 ..... 17 .................. 18 Maricopa County Crime Rate Office Statistics More Information 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 A Message From County Attorney Rick Romley As I enter my fourth term as Maricopa County Attorney, I can truly say I am proud of the accomplishments of this office. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is equipped to handle the most complex of criminal cases including those requiring forensic evidence and the use of technology. Our attorneys’ strong trial advocacy skills coupled with the use of science and technology create a winning combination — bringing criminals to justice. Our superior reputation for excellence is based on our successful prosecution of the most dangerous of criminals in the county. However, we never prosecute without carefully examining the evidence in each case. Representing the citizens of Maricopa County is a job we do not take lightly. I have worked with many senior members of my staff to transform the Major Crimes Division into a division dedicated to handling specialized criminal prosecution and better serve the citizens of Maricopa County. This annual report highlights the activities of each bureau within the Major Crimes Division. The men and women who make up this division share an office-wide commitment to quality prosecution. With their expertise prosecuting complex cases, justice will be served. Sincerely, Richard M. Romley Maricopa County Attorney Local elementary school students ask Chief Deputy Paul Ahler about his career as a prosecuting attorney. Serving the Citizens . . . The words — Murder, Rape, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Arson, Gang Violence, and Organized Crime — paint horrible pictures. However, they pale in comparison to the agony suffered by victims of these crimes. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office plays a vital role in developing cases that bring criminals who commit violent acts against our community to justice. Successful prosecution of these cases is dependent upon experience and specialized expertise. This expertise resides in the Major Crimes Division whose seven bureaus focus on the worst criminal threats to the safety and security of citizens in their homes, neighborhoods and communities. Vertical Prosecution Builds Effective Partnerships In Major Crimes Cases As the focus shifts from the investigation to the prosecution of a criminal case, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office relies on teamwork to develop the complete picture of the crime. Using a vertical prosecution model, Deputy County Attorneys partner with police officers and victim advocates to successfully prosecute criminal defendants and care for victims at each phase of a criminal case. Vertical prosecution is an effective procedure that assigns one attorney to work a case from beginning to end — from the time of the crime to the sentencing. The on-call attorney who responds to the crime scene is responsible for charging the case, attending all the court hearings and taking the case to trial. Attorneys in the Major Crimes Division have the advantage of working with police officers during a crime scene investigation. By collaborating with officers from the day the crime is discovered prosecutors develop a better sense of the 4 totality of the crime and the evidence available. This detailed image of the crime scene and its relationship to the collected evidence can then be more effectively articulated to a jury. Vertical prosecution has also served to standardize our response to crimes requiring the services of various agencies. Joining forces with police, victim advocates, victim service agencies, and medical professionals, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has been instrumental in developing protocols for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial handling of child abuse, child sexual abuse and family violence cases. The protocols provide guidelines at each stage of a criminal case for agencies assisting victims of crime. For instance, the Child Sexual Abuse Protocol outlines the proper examination procedure a forensic nurse will use to conduct every sexual abuse examination involving a child. The Major Crimes Division is currently developing an Elder Abuse Protocol to ensure elder exploitation and neglect cases will be handled consistantly, while at the same time respecting the dignity of the victim. This protocol, modeled after previous successes, will also ensure that those responsible for victimizing our senior citizens will be held accountable. Major Crimes Attorney at the Scene The pulse of flashing red and blue lights illuminates the scene of a fatal traffic accident. While officers collect evidence, witnesses provide accounts of the driver’s reckless behavior to police investigators and Deputy County Attorney Mitch Rand, long time vehicular crime specialist and chief of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. Like the attorneys he supervises, Mitch is on-call around the clock to assist investigating officers. While on scene he telephones the on-duty judge, helping police secure a search warrant to obtain samples of the driver’s blood. During the course of the officers’ investigation, Mitch learns as much as he can about the crash. Besides deciding the appropriate criminal charges to file, his on scene involvement will ultimately help him explain the crash to jurors. Top: Deputy County Attorney William Clayton, Homicide Bureau, teaches a class on effective opening and closing arguments for newly hired attorneys. Bottom: Bureau chief James Rizer, Special Crimes Bureau explains the art of trial advocacy at a workshop for attorneys with less than 5 years trial experience. 5 Specialization Leads to Successful Prosecution Like Mitch Rand, each attorney in the Major Crimes Division develops a specific area of expertise. Deputy County Attorneys receive extensive training in their area of specialization. Senior attorneys act as mentors, assisting attorneys recently assigned to a bureau prepare for trial. With the increased use of scientific evidence in the majority of felony cases, specialization is even more important in bringing the county’s most dangerous and deviant criminals to justice. As obscure crimes become more widespread, specialization allows Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to respond to specific needs in the community. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is one of the few prosecutorial offices in the nation to implement specialized bureaus in seven areas of major felony prosecution. Specialization allows the County Attorney’s Office to protect the public while holding criminals accountable for their crimes. Victims Benefit From the Major Crimes Approach Vertical prosecution allows prosecutors to build a rapport with the victims of crime. Rather than telling their story repeatedly to different prosecutors at various stages of the case, victims are interviewed only once by the attorney assigned the case. Since, crime victims are often left physically and emotionally harmed or financially devastated, prosecutors join forces with specially trained victim advocates employed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Advocates work to “make the victim whole again” by providing victims’ rights assistance, support services during the victim’s interaction with the criminal justice system and financial compensation for victims’ medical, counseling or funeral expenses. The prosecutor coordinates with the advocate to make sure the victim’s voice is heard during court proceedings. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has one of the most comprehensive victims’ assistance programs in the country; empowering victims to exercise their rights, while reducing the trauma associated with participation with the criminal justice system. This multidisciplinary approach to prosecution provides the best possible service to all citizens of Maricopa County. Bureaus Within the Major Crimes Division: The combined experience of more than 145 attorneys, legal assistants and support personnel is utilized to create the seven bureaus of the Major Crimes Division. TEC Bureau Homicide Bureau Vehicular Crimes Bureau Special Crimes Bureau Family Violence Bureau 6 Gang/ROP Sex Crimes Bureau State v. Samuel Rotondo homicide bureau The brutality of each crime scene is an image homicide prosecutors keep close to their hearts during the trial process. “Putting away the baddest of the bad is very rewarding,” said Bob Shutts, Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau. Thirteen attorneys, averaging more than 15 years of trial experience, are on-call to assist law enforcement officials, the victim’s next of kin and the community. The extensive use of forensic science adds to the complexity of murder cases and requires attorneys to understand blood spatter evidence, DNA, ballistic and medical evidence. Advances in the forensic sciences are helping to eliminate doubt about the manner in which a murder was committed, allowing prosecutors to present more facts about the crime. Forensic science can also positively identify who committed the murder; allowing police to present record numbers of previously unsolved murder cases for prosecution. Rotondo was involved in a shoot out with Phoenix Police Officers on December 15, 1998. The shooting spree occurred after Rotondo jumped from a stolen Ford Explorer and began firing at officers as he ran through an apartment complex. During the gun battle, Rotondo shot an 11-year-old girl, who was playing in the courtyard of the complex. Seven other victims were caught in the crossfire. Prosecutor Robert Shutts used the latest in courtroom technology to reenact Rotondo’s shooting spree for the jury. On July 20, 2000, the defendant was convicted of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of theft. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is requesting the death penalty due to the overwhelmingly aggravated circumstances in this case. Samuel Rotondo will be sentenced in March 2001. In determining whether to request the imposition of the death penalty, the Homicide Bureau painstakingly reviews the facts of each first-degree murder case. This review is undertaken by the Capital Review Committee, comprised of senior prosecutors with extensive practice in capital murder litigation. The committee meets regularly to staff recently filed First Degree Murder cases to assess whether, after identifying the existence of aggravating and mitigating factors, an allegation of intention to seek the death penalty should be filed. Following a discussion among the members, that includes input from the assigned prosecutor, a recommendation is forwarded to County Attorney Romley for approval. Additionally, the committee reviews each capital case to assess whether a plea disposition is appropriate, assessing once again aggravating and mitigating factors and making recommendations to Mr. Romley regarding whether or not to dismiss the death penalty allegation. 7 State v. Ronald Ruelas On June 30, 2000, defendant Ronald Ruelas was found guilty of 19 felony charges, ranging from molestation of a child, indecent exposure, furnishing obscene/harmful items to minors, to sexual conduct with a minor. From 1993 through January 1999, the defendant used his position as an elementary school guidance counselor to sexually abuse both current and former students. Many of the acts occurred at his home during organized “sleepovers” with the victims. The defendant disguised most of his acts as educational or medical, such as performing or demonstrating testicular exams. Superior Court Judge Michael McVey sentenced Ruelas to 175 years in prison. sex crimes bureau A child’s testimony can be critical in a sex crimes case. Testifying in court can be a very frightening experience for a child victim/witness. Recognizing the sensitivity of these situations, prosecutors in the Sex Crimes Bureau have undergone special training enabling them to work with child victims. Sex Crimes Prosecutors understand all the dynamics involved in prosecuting these emotionally devastating crimes and are cognizant of the needs of the victim. Teamed with forensic interviewers, who specialize in interviewing children, prosecutors make certain that the victim will not be revictimized. The Sex Crimes Bureau prosecutes sex related cases, sexual assault, kidnapping, and sex offender registration violations involving both children and adults. Many of these cases involve issues that most citizens find difficult to understand. How can a family member sexually abuse a child? Should a child’s testimony convict an adult? These questions are dif8 ficult. Fortunately, DNA and medical evidence often provide corroborative and scientific evidence resulting in a just consequence. The recent opening of three family advocacy centers in Maricopa County is a tribute in part to the dedicated commitment of prosecutors in the Sex Crimes Bureau. For almost a decade, Sex Crimes attorneys in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office campaigned for the centers to ensure sex crime victims received necessary medical attention and victim assistance services. Advocacy centers, like Phoenix Family Advocacy Center and ChildHelp USA, minimize trauma to victims using the “one-stop” approach. Specially trained forensic nurses perform medical examinations in a comfortable exam room, contrary to the sterile environment of a hospital emergency room. Police officers then interview the victim while an unobtrusive camera preserves the statement for prosecution. gang/repeat offender Working with police agency gang units, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Gang/ROP Bureau has implemented innovative programs to stop gangs from terrorizing our communities. The goal of law enforcement is to infiltrate the gang’s organizational structure, combining standard investigative techniques with the use of state of the art surveillance equipment. During these sting operations, Deputy County Attorneys are available to answer legal questions and begin preparing criminal indictments. The investigation continues until key gang members have been identified and their criminal enterprise shut down. A major step in gang member prosecution is the recent legislation enacted by the Arizona State Legislature, which assigns punishment enhancements to gang members’ prison sentences. For example, if a gang member is convicted of aggra- program vated assault, a Superior Court Judge has the ability to add a specific number years to the prison sentence. Punishment enhancements allow neighborhoods, once plagued by criminal street gangs, to begin rebuilding their communities. Gangs are constantly developing new methods to evade law enforcement, making training an essential component of gang prosecution. Prosecutors in the Gang/ROP bureau must understand the dynamics of criminal street gangs and the specific behaviors used to identify gang members. Each year the bureau invites prosecutors and police officers from around the state to “Living La Vida Loco,” a seminar highlighting gang prosecution. The seminar teaches the current cultural and criminal trends of street gangs coupled with the latest prosecution techniques used to prove gang affiliation. In March 2000, County Attorney Rick Romley proclaimed the New Mexican Mafia’s “back was broken,” crippling the gang’s ability to conduct their drug trade in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Prosecutors in the Gang/ROP Bureau indicted 34 individuals including high-ranking members of the New Mexican Mafia and their associates on 81 criminal felony charges. A multijurisdictional team of seven law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation. The “New Mexican Mafia” is a prison-based criminal syndicate first recognized within the Arizona Department of Corrections in the late 1970’s. This prison gang, which split from the original Mexican Mafia criminal organization, was formed to control criminal activity including drug distribution within the Arizona prison system. Members of the “New Mexican Mafia” are known to be very violent and have been involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs both inside the prison system and out on the streets of Phoenix and surrounding communities. An organization patterned after a military structure with specific rules and regulations, the philosophy of the “New Mexican Mafia” requires members to remain loyal forever, whether inside or outside of prison. 9 State v. Javier Sinohue Borquez vehicular crimes bureau Two decades ago, the legal system did not consider “drunk driving” a serious offense. Nevertheless, drivers who were impaired by drugs or alcohol were creating carnage on our roadways, killing or maiming thousands each year. It was common for a driver who caused a fatal traffic crash while driving under the influence to serve little or no jail time. Today the same offense guarantees a significant and lengthy prison sentence. The cultural attitude towards driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has changed, but felony prosecutions are no less difficult. The Vehicular Crimes Bureau handles vehicular homicide, aggravated assault and aggravated driving under the influence cases. The team approach between police and prosecutors is used to investigate all major collisions. All prosecutors in the Vehicular Crimes Bureau receive extensive specialized training in accident reconstruction, blood alcohol levels, driving under the influence, DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) school, and horizontal gaze nystagmus. In fact, prosecutors receive the 10 On September 25, 1999, Javier Borquez was found in a vehicle stopped partially on the curb of a residential street. He was passed out with the keys in the ignition and music blaring on the radio. Borquez refused a breath test, so officers obtained a search warrant for his blood. Although blood was drawn three hours after the defendant was found, the lab determined the blood alcohol results were twice the legal limit. The defendant had seven previous DUI convictions, including two aggravated DUI convictions and was on probation at the time of the arrest. The two-day trial ended after only four hours of deliberation. The jury convicted the defendant of two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, a class four felony. Prosecutor Karl Mueller recommended an aggravated sentence based on the defendant’s 14-year deplorable drunk driving history. Superior Court Judge Anna Baca sentenced the defendant to 12 years in prison. same training as police officers in addition to advanced training in vehicular crimes prosecution. The use of experts is crucial in the prosecution of vehicular crimes. Defendants will often claim that the vehicle they were driving malfunctioned, causing the crash. Mechanical experts evaluate the vehicle for any mechanical problems. The expert will then testify to the mechanical performance of the vehicle. In many cases, defendants claim they were the passenger not the driver, so as not to be responsible for the crash. An occupant kinematics expert will perform a series of tests to determine the placement of individuals based on the damage to the vehicle corresponding to the marks on the body. If a defendant claims he was not impaired, toxicology specialists or criminalists evaluate blood for alcohol or drug levels and testify to the results of their evaluations. Specialized training allows prosecutors to interpret the expert’s data, thus holding reckless drivers accountable for the jeopardizing the safety of the citizens. family violence bureau The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is committed to the aggressive prosecution of family violence cases. Protecting the victim and ending future acts of violence by the defendant are the primary concerns of prosecutors in the Family Violence Bureau. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office recognizes the danger inherent in what have traditionally been called “domestic violence” situations. Statistics show that most abusers also abuse children in the home. Likewise, many abused children grow up to be abusers themselves, sometimes even abusing their spouses, children or even the parents who once abused them. Recognizing the seriousness of the cycle of violence in our community, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office realizes that the cycle includes not only traditional domestic violence cases, but also abuse against children and the elderly. The very term “domestic” infers that the problem is minor and only a family problem. In reality, statistics across the country are tracing many of society’s ills, such as juvenile crime, homicide, suicide and general apathy, back to violence in the home. In an effort to break this cycle, the Maricopa County Attorney formed the Family Violence Bureau comprised of Deputy County Attorneys, Victim Witness Advocates, Legal Assistants and Investigators who specialize in prosecuting these cases. The Family Violence Bureau is responsible for charging and prosecuting all domestic violence cases including homicides, child abuse, elder abuse and stalking cases committed in Maricopa County. Experienced attorneys staff the bureau and provide specialized expertise to guarantee aggressive prosecution and rehabilitation. The Family Violence Bureau intervenes by effectively sanctioning offenders through punishment, education and treatment. By teaming with police agencies and hospital personnel, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Family Violence Bureau developed specific protocols in the areas of family violence and child abuse for all agencies that work with victims of crime. The protocols outline detailed guidelines for each stage of a family violence or child abuse case. The realities of these crimes — bruises heal and victims recant their statements out of fear — make protocols necessary. As soon as officers arrive on scene they tape record victims’ statements and photograph all injuries. The evidence is forever preserved and a strong case is ready for prosecution. Toward that end, the Major Crimes Division is currently developing an Elder Abuse Protocol, designed to standardize our response to elder exploitation and neglect throughout Maricopa County. State v. David Wayne Kiehle David Kiehle was an active U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. While he was stationed out of state, his wife filed for divorce. David Kiehle came home to spend the 4th of July weekend with his 12-year-old daughter. The victim did not spend the weekend with them, having told the defendant she was house sitting. On Sunday evening, the victim returned home and had a confrontation with the defendant. At 5 a.m., Chandler Police Department received a call from David Kiehle claiming his wife had committed suicide. Prosecutor Maria Armijo successfully proved to a jury using ballistics evidence that David Kiehle shot his wife. An expert crime scene reconstructionist testified suicide was impossible based the gun powder residue left on the victim’s face and arm. The jury convicted him of first degree murder. Superior Court Judge James Keppel sentenced David Kiehle to natural life in prison on July 7, 2000. 11 State v. James Herbert Jackson During a three-month period, the defendant led a counterfeit check ring. As ringleader, he commanded 30 crewmembers, whom cashed the counterfeit checks at check cashing institutions. The ring would manufacture counterfeit checks using legitimate business accounts and names from check copies retrieved from dumpsters behind local businesses. To date the estimated losses reported by victims is $125,000. Superior Court Judge Michael D. Jones sentenced the defendant to 28 years in prison and ordered him to pay restitution to his victims. special crimes bureau The Special Crimes Bureau prosecutes cases motivated primarily by greed, including fraud, whitecollar crimes, drug trafficking and governmental corruption. Due to the sensitive nature of these cases merely opening an investigation can alter the democratic process or tarnish the reputation of a business owner. Special Crimes Prosecutors are well versed in numerous accounting systems, bookkeeping software and election procedures. An integral part of their job is explaining to a jury how a system was manipulated to defraud businesses out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, or erode the integrity of our political system. The Special Crimes Bureau has an attorney dedicated to prosecuting all arson-related cases, another crime that results in the loss of property and in some cases human life. The arson prosecutor works with Fire Department Investigators to charge 12 arson cases. Like fire investigators, the arson prosecutor must understand the progression of an intentionally lit fire versus a natural fire. The prosecutor must then “teach” the jury the telltale signs of arson. Keeping large quantities of drugs off the streets and out of our children’s hands is another facet of the Special Crimes Bureau. Attorneys in the Bureau prosecute all drug conspiracy cases involving three or more defendants. These drug rings, commonly referred to as cartels, are violent and dangerous criminal syndicates with far reaching tentacles. Working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, the bureau often uses sophisticated technology, including electronic communications intercepts, to gain evidence against ringleaders involved in statewide drug trafficking. technology and electronic crimes (TEC) bureau The information highway has paved a new route for criminals to commit dangerous and distressing crimes. Hiding behind the anonymity of the Internet, these “cyber-criminals” prey on the unsuspecting. To ensure the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is equipped to handle cases in which a form of technology is the focus of the crime; the County Attorney has announced the creation of a new bureau. The new Technology and Electronic Crimes Bureau will focus on the following types of cases: on-line luring, cyberstalking, virus attacks, on-line auction fraud, on-line escort services, and network intrusions (hacking). The Technology and Electronic Crimes Bureau will also be available to assist in any other felony case involving electronic evidence. For example, a person selling drugs may maintain a list of transactions on the computer; or a person who poisoned her spouse may have purchased the poison through an on-line source. These types of cases include: child pornography, identity theft, forgery/counterfeiting by use of electronic means, e-mail threats, on-line investment scams, copying electronic data from credit/debit cards, and the on-line sale of illicit drugs and prescription drugs. Similar to the warrants needed to search a house with several different rooms, police must obtain specific search warrants to examine the contents of a computer. Since the search and seizure of computer and electronic equipment creates new legal pitfalls, prosecutors in the Technology and Electronic Crimes Bureau will provide technical assistance to all law enforcement agencies around the state. In addition to having expertise in Arizona Statutory case law, prosecutors in the Technology and Electronic crimes bureau must also be proficient in federal communications law. Modeled after the Family Violence Bureau, the Technology and Electronic Crimes Bureau will have a team of prosecutors, legal assistants and an investigator dedicated to prosecuting computer-related crimes. 13 Richard M. Romley, Maricopa County Attorney 1989–Present Nationally recognized, Rick Romley has earned a reputation as a leader in criminal justice issues. In his fourth term as the Maricopa County Attorney, he is responsible for administering the prosecuting attorney’s office in the fourth largest county in the United States. As such, Rick is often turned to for advice and counsel on issues important to Arizona and our Nation. Rick has been invited to testify before Congress and to address national organizations on issues such as violent crime, terrorism, drug trafficking and public corruption. Rick has championed many prosecution and reform policies. He helped Arizona become one of our Nation’s first states to pass a Constitutional amendment which guarantees that victims are afforded certain rights during the criminal justice process. He played a leading role in rewriting Arizona’s Criminal Code, which resulted in “Truth-inSentencing” statutes that require convicted criminals to serve their full time. Rick was a prominent figure in the drive to reform Juvenile Justice. It was under his direction that AzSCAM, the most significant public corruption case in Arizona’s history, was successfully investigated and prosecuted. For the past several years, he has been a key sponsor of the Violence Prevention Initiative — an effort to develop a long-term and comprehensive strategy to prevent violent crime. While Rick is known as a tough and successful prosecutor, he also believes in the need to develop integrated public policies that enhance public safety. His strategy ensures that chronic and violent offenders are prison bound while, at the same time, he promotes programs that prevent youth from starting on the path towards crime. Through his vision, citizens in Maricopa County are seeing improvements in their neighborhoods, notably a reduced crime rate. To maintain his commitment to dramatically decrease graffiti, reduce blight and substandard living conditions, Rick recently created the Community Action Bureau charged with prosecuting slumlord laws, illegal dumping and environmental concerns like dust control. On a personal note, Rick was born in Tucson, Arizona, in 1949. Continuing a family tradition of over one hundred years, Rick and his wife, Carol, make their home in Arizona. They have three sons: Darin, David and Aaron. As a youth, Rick joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a squad leader in Vietnam until wounded. After returning from Vietnam, he enrolled at Arizona State University, graduating with honors in 1974 with a Degree in Business Management. He then began a five-year career as the owner-operator of a retail business. During this time he decided upon a career change, sold his business, enrolled in law school at Arizona State University and received his Juris Doctorate in 1981. Since then, he has been a prosecutor committed to a career in public service. Rick Romley takes pride in being an innovative, aggressive prosecutor dedicated to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Maricopa County. Overview of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office • One of the country’s largest prosecuting attorney’s offices, serving the 4th largest county in the nation. • Staff of 928 including 284 prosecutors, 35 attorneys handling civil matters, 84 legal assistants, 62 victim witness advocates, 53 investigators, and 410 support and administrative staff. • Thirty victim witness advocate volunteers and student interns, and 75 legal assistant volunteers and student interns. Photo: John Garcia • Six locations throughout Maricopa County including offices in downtown Phoenix and in Mesa, juvenile offices in West Phoenix and Mesa. Richard M. Romley County Attorney Elected Official Paul Ahler Chief Deputy DIVISIONS Admin Services Appeals/Legal Research Information Technology County Counsel Division Criminal Trial Division Investigations Division Juvenile Division Legal Assistant Division Major Crimes Division Pretrial Division Southeast Division Support Division Training Division Victim Witness Division 16 MCAO Organizational Chart Although the Major Crimes Division was the focus of this annual report, equally dedicated employees work in the other thirteen divisions of the office. ● The ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION is primarily responsible for budget and finance, personnel, purchasing and facilities management. ● The APPEALS/LEGAL RESEARCH DIVISION is responsible for appeals, extraditions and legal research within the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. ● The INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION provides the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office with computers, support, programs and the connectivity necessary to perform the daily functions of the office. ● The DIVISION OF COUNTY COUNSEL serves as counsel to Maricopa County, its agencies, departments, employees and elected officials. ● The TRIAL DIVISION handles cases which originate from area Justice Courts. Typical cases handled by the division include burglary, theft, forgery, possession of drugs, armed robbery and weapon violations. ● The INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION assists Deputy County Attorneys in case preparation; conducts original criminal investigations; and provides assistance to law enforcement agencies. ● The JUVENILE CRIMES DIVISION is responsible for the prosecution of delinquent and incorrigible children between the ages of eight and eighteen. “Delinquent” acts are misdemeanor or felony offenses while “incorrigible” acts are status offenses such as truancy or curfew violations. ● The LEGAL ASSISTANT DIVISION provides legal assistance to attorneys officewide. The legal assistants work directly with the attorneys and perform legal research, drafting of various motions, pleadings and other legal documentation. ● The MAJOR CRIMES DIVISION is responsible for prosecuting cases, which by their nature require specialized knowledge or expertise. ● The PRE-TRIAL DIVISION is comprised of the Check Enforcement Bureau, the Preliminary Hearing Bureau and the Charging Bureau. The division provides legal assistance to county grand juries, runs the adult deferred prosecution program, prosecutes bad check writers and reviews general crime police reports to determine if there is “a reasonable likelihood of conviction” for criminal prosecution. ● The SOUTHEAST DIVISION provides prosecution services to Southeastern Maricopa County. Attorneys, investigators, support staff, legal assistants and victim witness advocates work together to meet the needs of the Southeast Valley. ● The SUPPORT STAFF DIVISION is made up of administrative assistants, administrative coordinators, clerical trainees, legal clerks and legal secretaries. ● The TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION conducts regular training needs assessments and develops, presents or contracts for high quality, relevant and useful training and education programs for all employees. ● The VICTIM WITNESS DIVISION is responsible for providing victims’ rights information and assistance to all victims of crimes prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Maricopa County Crime Rate* 1990–1999 In the last few years, the number of reported crimes have gone down significantly when compared to the population of Maricopa County. When comparing the 1999 rate of crime (the number of crimes reported for every 100,000 people) to the 1990 crime rate, the citizens of Maricopa County have been victimized by far fewer crimes. Since 1990, Maricopa County’s population has increased 37.3% more than the State of Arizona (30.4%) Overall • Maricopa County’s crime rate has decreased 28.3% Crime rate for the State of Arizona decreased 25.3% Violent Crime • Maricopa County’s violent crime rate has decreased 23% Arizona’s violent crime rate has decreased 15.5% Property Crime • Maricopa County’s property crime rate has decreased 28.8% Desert photos: John Garcia Property crime rate for Arizona decreased 26.1% * Source: Uniform Crime Report (UCR)/Crime in Arizona. All law enforcement agencies report crime statistics using standards developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Crime Rate is defined as the number of crimes reported per 100,000 people. 17 Office Statistics During the ‘99/’00 fiscal year the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges on 27,518 adult felony cases, 7.6 percent more than last fiscal year. The number of juvenile case filings remained virtually the same. ADULT FELONY CASE FILINGS Crime FY ’99/’00 FY ’98/’99 FY ’97/’98 ______________________________________________________________________ Part I, UCR* Homicide 163 114 162 Sexual Assault 111 88 96 Child Molestation 383 314 N/A Robbery 697 748 751 Vehicular Homicide 45 41 N/A Aggravated Assault 2,639 2,146 2,387 Burglary 1,705 1,725 1,869 Arson 49 36 26 Vehicular Theft 1,338 789 1,429 DUI 3,033 2,816 N/A Theft 991 1,170 1,429 Part II, UCR* Drug Related 11,227 11,018 13,703 Other Offenses 5.137 4,569 4,640 ______________________________________________________________________ Total 27,518 25,574 26,492 *Federal Bureau of Investigations Uniform Crime Report JUVENILE PETITION FILINGS Crime FY ’99/’00 FY ’98/’99 FY ’97/’98 ______________________________________________________________________ Part I, UCR* Homicide 1 7 11 Sexual Assault 4 9 8 Child Molestation 75 72 N/A Robbery 90 98 131 Vehicular Homicide 0 0 N/A Aggravated Assault 595 609 679 Burglary 895 924 1,272 Arson 24 36 31 Vehicular Theft 656 554 754 DUI 40 13 N/A Theft 1,804 1,816 2,208 Part II, UCR* Drug Related 1,406 1,674 1,434 Other Offenses 4,299 4,071 4,530 ______________________________________________________________________ Total 9,889 9,883 11,058 *Federal Bureau of Investigations Uniform Crime Report (Note: After July 1997 juveniles 15 years and older accused of committing homicide, aggravated assault and other violent crime were charged as adults under the Juvenile Justice Reform Act.) 18 ADULT CASES FILED FY ’95/’96 to FY ’99/’00 Violent and Non-violent Crimes as defined by Part I, Uniform Crime Report JUVENILE PETITIONS FILED FY ’95/’96 to FY ’99/’00 Violent and Non-violent Crimes as defined by Part I, Uniform Crime Report 19 For More Information For more information on the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, please use the following numbers: Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Downtown (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-3411 301 W. Jefferson Street • Phoenix, AZ 85003 Investigations Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-3844 Legal Assistants Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-2751 Southeast Facility (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-2400 222 E. Javelina, Suite 2400 • Mesa, AZ 85210 Juvenile Division Eastside Office (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (480) 962-8002 540 W. Iron Avenue, Suite 110 • Mesa, AZ 85210 Juvenile Division Westside Office (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 455-3877 3501 W. Osborn Avenue • Phoenix, AZ 85019 Wells Fargo Facility (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 372-7350 100 W. Washington, 21st Floor • Phoenix, AZ 85003 Training and Development Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 372-7200 Specific Information on Programs of Interest Kids in Court Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Media Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Speakers Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maricopa County Demand Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adoptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Action Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victim Witness Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victim Compensation Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-8522 (602) 506-3411 (602) 506-7799 (602) 506-7799 (480) 962-8002 (602) 506-3411 (602) 506-8522 (602) 506-4955 Hotlines Hate Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Slumlord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graffiti Busters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illegal Dumping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-5000 (602) 372-7586 (602) 262-7327 (602) 506-3867 Photo: John Garcia www.maricopa.gov/attorney 20 RICHARD M. ROMLEY MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY 301 W. Jefferson Street, Suite 800 Phoenix, AZ 85003 www.maricopa.gov/attorney