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AZ makes self-defense bill retroactive
The Arizona legislature has passed SB 1302, making its earlier self-defense improvements retroactive, covering any cases that had not gone to verdict by April 24, 2006.
That underscores a point about drafting statutes... ALWAYS put in a "saving clause" that says exactly what the bill affects, time-wise. Does it only relate to events that occured after enactment, or only to cases filed after its enactment, or to cases that were already in the pipeline?
Comments
What about the expired Federal 'assault weapon' ban?
I wonder, is anyone still serving a sentence in Federal prison today for violating that law? A law which no longer exists?
Posted by: Brad at March 1, 2007 01:16 AM
Did anybody even get prosecuted under the "assault weapons" ban?
Posted by: Bruce at March 1, 2007 07:23 AM
Yes. IIRC, it was a group of 4-5 cops who built their own, thinking they were above the law.
Posted by: Captain Holly at March 1, 2007 09:01 AM
Drafting laws ain't as easy as people think. I know because I have been involved in writing some. It works best when you have a room full of really smart people who have actually been working in the area for a long time. Your run-of-the-mill politician generally need not apply.
Posted by: Letalis at March 1, 2007 06:52 PM