2018 Pima County Tax Lien Sale

Well, despite rising interest rates, the Pima County tax lien sale saw interest rates hit historic lows – down to one and two percent on improved properties. Arizona real property tax liens are sold on a bid-down basis. This means that each lien starts at a potential 16% statutory maximum and is bid down to … [Read more…]

The Drone Slayer – Drones & Trespassing

In July 2015, William Merideth was cited for criminal mischief and wanton endangerment after shooting down a drone hovering in his “backyard.”  Merideth told police that he shot the drone because he did not know if the drone was operated by “a predator looking at my children.” Bullitt County Judge Rebecca Ward cleared Mr. Merideth of first-degree endangerment and criminal … [Read more…]

Arizona – When Does a Tax Lien Expire?

When does an Arizona tax lien certificate of purchase expire?  This was the only issue in Span v. Maricopa County Treasurer, a 2014 Arizona Court of Appeals decision.  While this decision may not be used to cite as precedent in any case by an attorney, the discussion from the Court is useful for anyone holding … [Read more…]

Changes in Arizona Anti-Deficiency Law

The Arizona Supreme Court just issued an Opinion in BMO Harris Bank, N.A. v. Wildwood Creek Ranch, LLC, holding that Arizona’s residential anti-deficiency statute, Arizona Revised Statute Section 33-814(G), does not bar a deficiency judgment against an owner of vacant property.  The Court specified that for the anti-deficiency protections to apply, a “dwelling” must have … [Read more…]

The Future of the Pecan Groves

The Arizona Daily Star reports that Farmers Investment Co., which owns nearly 7,000 acres stretching nearly fourteen miles from Pima Mine Road to Continental Road in the Sahuarita and Green Valley area is looking to how to plan for the long-term use of this giant expanse.  The Sahuarita Planning and Zoning Commission will weigh in … [Read more…]

Drones – Smugglers & Drunken Larks

Seems drones are in the news more than ever.  A recent U.S. drone strike killed two suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen this week, which is the first attack since U.S.-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said he was resigning, leaving Yemen in a state of political chaos.  Meanwhile, here in the United States, a … [Read more…]

Federal Aviation Administration Settles Case with Raphael Pirker

Raphael Pirker, a videographer who was fined $10,000 by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) in 2011 for for illegally operating the his five-pound drone for commercial purposes and operating it in a “wreckless manner,” just settled with the FAA for $1,100.  Pirker’s original case was dismissed by an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) with the National … [Read more…]

Drones – The Looming Battle of Preemption

The long-standing issue of federal preemption in the immigration context has found a new corollary in the battle over how states, counties, and municipalities are dealing with the rise in drone use.  As drone use continues to increase, states and municipalities are trying to determine whether their broad police powers are sufficient to regulate drones, … [Read more…]