Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services Mark Brnovich

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued an opinion Tuesday affirming law enforcement’s authority to enforce emergency declarations.

The decision comes a day after Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statewide stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The opinion says when cities and towns in Arizona declare a state of emergency, sheriff’s offices and local police have the right to enforce it. Violators of emergency measures could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. That’s Arizona’s most serious misdemeanor charge and is punishable by up to six months in jail.

The decision specifies cities and towns that issue emergency declarations should not be inconsistent with declarations by the governor. Several Arizona mayors have called on Ducey to take more drastic actions in response to the coronavirus.

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