Arizona’s highest court has upheld the two-year suspension of former Maricopa County prosecutor April Sponsel, who filed gang charges against protesters without reviewing evidence.
Key Takeaways
- The Arizona Supreme Court confirmed a two-year suspension for former prosecutor April Sponsel for ethics violations
- Sponsel “knowingly” violated her duty by filing serious gang-related charges against protesters without reviewing evidence
- Her misconduct led to the dismissal of over 40 felony cases and caused significant injury to defendants
- Following an investigation, Sponsel was placed on administrative leave in March 2022 and terminated by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in June 2022
Prosecutor’s Suspension Upheld for Ethical Violations
The Arizona Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling against former Maricopa County prosecutor April Sponsel, upholding her two-year suspension for ethical violations. The court’s decision confirms the findings of a state disciplinary panel that Sponsel “knowingly” violated her duty to act in good faith when handling protest cases in 2020. The ruling marks the culmination of a legal saga that began with controversial prosecutions following demonstrations in Phoenix and ultimately led to Sponsel’s dismissal from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in 2022.
Sponsel served as the lead prosecutor in cases against individuals arrested during protests that occurred in Phoenix in October 2020. These demonstrations followed the deaths of George Floyd and Dion Johnson, which sparked nationwide calls for police reform during the summer of 2020. According to court documents, Sponsel and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed serious gang-related charges against 15 protesters with minimal evidence review, despite having access to over 100 hours of police body camera footage and 250 pages of police reports.
Rushed Charges and Lack of Evidence
The court’s decision highlighted Sponsel’s failure to thoroughly review evidence before filing serious gang-related charges. This rush to judgment resulted in charges being filed against protesters that lacked sufficient evidentiary support, ultimately causing what the court described as “significant injury” to the defendants, who faced serious felony accusations that could have led to substantial prison sentences.
The issues surrounding Sponsel’s prosecutorial conduct first came to light following ABC15’s “Politically Charged” investigation in February 2021, which raised serious questions about the handling of protest-related cases. The subsequent investigation triggered by these revelations led to the dismissal of charges against all the protesters involved and eventually resulted in the dismissal of over 40 felony cases related to demonstrations. Despite these findings, Sponsel continued to deny any wrongdoing throughout her disciplinary trial.
HEADLINE: AZ Supreme Court releases decision upholding protest prosecutor’s suspension
Bottom line: Don’t collude with police to invent a gang to falsely charge protesters as members. https://t.co/9hcHl3kM26
— Dave Biscobing (@DaveBiscobing15) April 12, 2025
Professional Consequences and Accountability
Following the controversy, Sponsel was placed on administrative leave by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on March 2, 2022, and was ultimately fired in June of that same year. The State Bar of Arizona then filed ethical charges against Sponsel, resulting in a two-year suspension handed down by a disciplinary panel in late 2023. This suspension has now been affirmed by the Arizona Supreme Court, cementing the professional consequences for what the court determined to be serious ethical violations in the handling of high-profile protest cases.
The case has drawn significant attention within legal circles in Arizona and nationally, as it raises important questions about prosecutorial discretion, ethical obligations, and the proper handling of politically sensitive cases. President Trump’s Justice Department has emphasized the importance of prosecutorial integrity in cases involving First Amendment activities. The Arizona Supreme Court’s decision sends a clear message about the high ethical standards expected of prosecutors and the serious consequences that can result when those standards are not met.
Sources:
- AZ Supreme Court releases decision upholding protest prosecutor’s suspension
- Arizona Supreme Court upholds former Valley prosecutor’s 2-year suspension
- Arizona Supreme Court upholds former Valley prosecutor’s 2-year suspension – DNyuz
