Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes promises to appeal anti-SLAPP ruling in "fake electors" case this morning: "It is not the lawful exercise of free speech to file forged slates of electors to deprive Arizona voters of their right to vote."
The ruling from Superior Court Judge Sam Myers is that the defendants (Anthony Kern, Mark Meadows) have cleared the "prima facie" hurdle to having the Motion to Dismiss further considered. Burden now on the State to prove the indictment was not to deter/retaliate.
The "SLAPP" in AZ's anti-SLAPP law stands for "strategic lawsuits against public participation". The Arizona Legislature expanded the anti-SLAPP law in 2022 to allow it to be applied in criminal cases. (This was before Mayes was elected, but after other investigations had begun.)
(Minute Entry, details forthcoming)
This article was reported by AZ Law founder Paul Weich.
"AZ Law" includes articles, commentaries and updates about opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts, etc. AZ Law is founded by Phoenix attorney Paul Weich, and joins Arizona's Politics on the internet.
