by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Criminal DefenseMarch 13, 20240 comments

How are Crimes Classified in Arizona?

The Arizona Criminal Code ranges from minor traffic violations to severe charges, like premeditated murder. All crimes carry the potential for consequences, like license revocation, probation, jail time, and even capital punishment.

If the police stop and question you about a crime, or you’ve been accused of a crime in Arizona, you need to consult with an attorney about your rights and how to proceed. The right attorney will be able to evaluate the facts of the case and suggest the best course of action to secure a favorable outcome.

Even if you are working with a criminal defense attorney, it’s still important that you understand how crimes are classified in Arizona. In this article, we’ll cover the differences between the three types of crimes: felonies, misdemeanors, and minor charges.

How are Crimes Classified in Arizona?

Crimes fall into three categories in Arizona, ranging from severe to more common. Even if you are convicted of a minor crime, there can still be long-term consequences. Let’s explore each of these categories in more detail.

Felony Offense

Felony offenses are the most severe crimes. In Arizona, all felonies carry a presumptive sentence. In some cases, defendants can request a shorter minimum or mitigated sentence. Common types of felonies under Arizona law include murder, rape, arson, burglary, kidnapping, and arson. The six classes of felonies in Arizona include:

• Class 1 – Penalties vary based on the case
• Class 2 – Presumptive sentence of 5 years
• Class 3 – Presumptive sentence of 3.5 years
• Class 4 – Presumptive sentence of 2.5 years
• Class 5 – Presumptive sentence of 1.5 years
• Class 6 – Presumptive sentence of 1 year

The long-term effects of a felony conviction might include the requirement to register on certain criminal registries, immigration consequences, ineligibility for housing and public benefits, loss of the right to serve as a juror, loss of the right to vote, and restrictions on possession of weapons.

Misdemeanor Offense

Misdemeanors are less severe than felonies, with the maximum possible punishment being less than six months of jail time. Arizona has three classes of misdemeanor offenses:

• Class 1 – Maximum imprisonment of 6 months
• Class 2 – Maximum imprisonment of 4 months
• Class 3 – Maximum imprisonment of 30 days

Misdemeanors are less violent crimes, like criminal trespassing, speeding, disorderly conduct, some shoplifting violations, and loitering. Misdemeanor violations have simpler court proceedings, with no grand jury. However, there can still be long-term consequences of a misdemeanor on your criminal record.

Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing any type of criminal charge, regardless of the severity, contact a qualified Arizona attorney right away. You want to ensure that the long-term impacts of your case are minimized. Reach out to a team member at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed to schedule your free consultation.