A new law, inspired by the tragic murder of a teenager in the East Valley, aims to streamline the process of filing charges in specific assault cases and increase the severity of penalties. This proposed legislation, known as the “Justice for Teens Act,” seeks to bring about meaningful change in the criminal justice system.
House Bill 2611, also known as “Preston’s Law,” pays tribute to the tragic death of 16-year-old Preston Lord. Preston lost his life in a horrifying incident when he was mercilessly attacked outside a Halloween party in Queen Creek back in 2023.
According to a news release, the proposed bill, HB2611, aims to improve the criteria for aggravated assault charges. One of the key changes includes introducing provisions for assault cases involving two or more accomplices, which would lead to the imposition of “enhanced penalties.”
Republican state Rep. Matt Gress (LD-4) and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell will be introducing the bill during a news conference on Thursday afternoon. The legislation is being sponsored by Rep. Gress and they will be joined by Lord’s family members at the event.
On October 28, 2023, multiple suspects violently battered Lord, resulting in his death. He died two days later at Phoenix Children’s Hospital due to multiple blunt-force injuries.
Later, authorities charged seven teenagers in connection with Lord’s death. Investigators suspect a connection between some of the individuals and past teen violence incidents in the East Valley.
New legislation has been in the works for several months.
Last October, Rep. Gress, the county attorney, and Queen Creek officials gathered to consider harsher laws addressing teen violence. Mitchell concentrated on assaults known as “swarming,” in which a group of youths band together to attack someone else, generally another teen.