Supreme Court Confirms Suspension for Ex-Maricopa County Prosecutor

The Arizona Supreme Court has confirmed a two-year suspension for April Sponsel, a former prosecutor in Maricopa County. This decision follows her termination in 2022 due to misconduct during the prosecution of political protestors.

On Friday, the court upheld the disciplinary panel’s ruling after Sponsel was found to have violated professional conduct guidelines. She was initially involved in charging a group of protestors detained during demonstrations in downtown Phoenix in 2020. The charges were ultimately dismissed, leading to her placement on administrative leave.

Following her dismissal, a disciplinary panel determined that Sponsel’s actions constituted ethical violations. Despite her appeal, the state supreme court reported “ample evidence” suggesting that her prosecutions were “frivolous and not brought in good faith.”

The court criticized Sponsel for failing to review evidence before proceeding with charges, labeling this oversight as “inexcusable” given her experience. Moreover, the opinion emphasized that her heavy caseload did not justify her lack of diligence or ethical missteps.

The justices concluded that Sponsel had “knowingly” breached her duty to act in good faith, ordering her to bear the costs associated with the legal proceedings.

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