Arizona Criminal Laws: Felony and Misdemeanor Classes, Theft, Self-Defense and Bail

Arizona grades felonies as classes 1 through 6. Class 1 (first degree murder) is punishable by death or life imprisonment as provided by sections 13-751 and 13-752. For first-time, non-dangerous felony offenders the prison terms are (mitigated / minimum / presumptive / maximum / aggravated): Class 2: 3 years / 4 years / 5 years / 10 years / 12.5 years. Class 3: 2 years / 2.5 years / 3.5 years / 7 years / 8.75 years. Class 4: 1 year / 1.5 years / 2.5 years / 3 years / 3.75 years. Class 5: .5 years / .75 years / 1.5 years / 2 years / 2.5 years. Class 6: .33 years / .5 years / 1 year / 1.5 years / 2 years. Longer ranges apply to repetitive and dangerous offenders. A fine for a felony may not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

Class 1 misdemeanor: up to six months in jail and a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars. Class 2 misdemeanor: up to four months and a fine of up to $750. Class 3 misdemeanor: up to thirty days and a fine of up to $500. Petty offense: fine of up to $300 (no jail). A misdemeanor sentence is served somewhere other than state department of corrections custody. If a person is convicted of a misdemeanor or petty offense (other than traffic) within two years of a prior conviction for the same kind of offense, the court sentences the person one class higher.

Theft becomes a felony at $1,000. Tiers: less than $1,000: class 1 misdemeanor (but a class 6 felony if the property is taken from the person of another, is a firearm, or is an animal taken for animal fighting); $1,000 or more but less than $2,000: class 6 felony; $2,000 or more but less than $3,000: class 5 felony; $3,000 or more but less than $4,000: class 4 felony (as is theft of any vehicle engine or transmission regardless of value); $4,000 or more but less than $25,000: class 3 felony; $25,000 or more: class 2 felony.

Stand your ground. A person has no duty to retreat before threatening or using deadly physical force in self-defense if the person is in a place where the person may legally be and is not engaged in an unlawful act. Separately, there is no duty to retreat before threatening or using physical force or deadly physical force to prevent listed serious crimes (such as arson of an occupied structure, burglary, kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, armed robbery and certain aggravated assaults), and that rule applies in a home, residence, place of business, land the person owns or leases, any conveyance, and any other place in this state where a person has a right to be.

A person is presumed to reasonably believe that force, including deadly force, is immediately necessary if the person knows or has reason to believe that someone is unlawfully or forcefully entering, or has unlawfully or forcefully entered and is present in, the person's residential structure or occupied vehicle; such an intruder is presumed to pose an imminent threat of unlawful deadly harm. The presumptions do not apply if the person against whom force is used has a right to be there or is a lawful resident (such as an owner, lessee, invitee or titleholder) and no order of protection or injunction against harassment has been filed against that person; if that person is a parent, grandparent or legal custodian or guardian of a child or grandchild being removed; if the person using force is engaged in unlawful activity or using the structure or vehicle to further it; or if the person against whom force is used is a law enforcement officer entering in the performance of official duties. A person is also presumed to act reasonably when using force to prevent listed serious crimes in a home, business, owned or leased land or conveyance. Civil immunity: no person shall be subject to civil liability for engaging in conduct otherwise justified under the justification chapter.

No time limit (prosecution may be commenced at any time) for homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide resulting in death, certain class 2 felonies in chapter 14 or 35.1 of title 13, violent sexual assault, violations of §§ 13-2308.01, 13-2308.03 and 13-3212, misuse of public monies, felonies involving falsification of public records, and attempts to commit these. Otherwise: class 2 through class 6 felonies, seven years; misdemeanors, one year; petty offenses, six months. The period starts when the state actually discovers the offense or should have discovered it with reasonable diligence, whichever first occurs. It does not run while the accused is absent from the state or has no reasonably ascertainable residence in the state, and for a serious offense it does not run while the perpetrator's identity is unknown.

All persons charged with crime are bailable except: for capital offenses, sexual assault, or sexual conduct with or molestation of a child under fifteen, when the proof is evident or the presumption great; for felonies committed while on bail for a separate felony; for felonies where the person poses a threat to others or the community and no release conditions can adequately assure safety; and for serious felonies by a person who entered or remained in the United States illegally. Bail and release conditions are meant to assure appearance, protect against witness intimidation, and protect the victim and community. At the initial appearance, a judicial officer orders a person charged with a bailable offense released pending trial on his or her own recognizance or on bail. The officer considers factors including the victim's views, the nature of the offense, prior serious or violent offenses, danger to the community, the weight of the evidence, family ties, employment, financial resources, character, mental condition, length of residence, record and history of court appearances. Conditions can include supervision by a designated person, travel or contact restrictions, a cash deposit, weapons/alcohol/drug bans and reporting; electronic monitoring and no-contact orders are mandatory for certain sexual and domestic-violence felonies.

County public defenders, on court order, represent a person who is entitled to counsel as a matter of law and who is not financially able to employ counsel, in offenses triable in superior court or justice court and other listed proceedings. Representation by the public defender or court-appointed counsel is provided without expense to the defendant, and the court may not impose an indigent administrative assessment or order reimbursement to the county for legal services.

18. Sexual conduct with a minor is intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under eighteen years of age. Close-in-age defense: it is a defense if the victim is fifteen, sixteen or seventeen years of age, the defendant is under nineteen years of age or attending high school and is no more than twenty-four months older than the victim and the conduct is consensual.

Legal for adults 21 and older: possessing up to one ounce of marijuana, of which not more than five grams is marijuana concentrate; growing up to six plants at the person's primary residence (no more than 12 plants at a residence where two or more adults 21+ live), in a locked enclosed area not visible from public view; and giving up to one ounce (5 grams concentrate) or six plants to another adult 21+ without payment. Possessing more than the allowed amount but not more than 2.5 ounces (not more than 12.5 grams concentrate) is a petty offense. Under 21: a first violation for 1 ounce or less is a civil penalty of up to $100 (plus up to 4 hours of drug education), a second is a petty offense, and a third or subsequent is a class 1 misdemeanor. Smoking marijuana in public is a petty offense. Cultivation visible to the public or not secured from minors is a petty offense (class 3 misdemeanor for a second or later violation).

Assault in Arizona is intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person; intentionally placing someone in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury; or knowingly touching someone with intent to injure, insult or provoke. Intentionally or knowingly causing injury is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a fine up to $2,500); recklessly causing injury is a class 2 misdemeanor (up to four months, up to $750); and threatening or offensive-touching assault is a class 3 misdemeanor (up to thirty days, up to $500). Assault becomes aggravated assault, a felony, when it causes serious physical injury or involves a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument (class 3 felony; class 2 if the victim is under fifteen), causes a fracture or substantial temporary disfigurement (class 4 felony), or is committed on a restrained victim, after entering a private home to commit the assault, by an adult on a child under fifteen, in violation of a protective order, or on a listed worker such as a teacher, health care worker or transit employee (class 6 felony). Assaults on peace officers and other first responders are graded higher.

Arizona has no separate battery crime; harmful or offensive touching is included in its assault statute. Knowingly touching another person with intent to injure, insult or provoke is assault, a class 3 misdemeanor (up to thirty days in jail and a fine up to $500), and causing physical injury is assault graded as a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor depending on intent.

Arizona does not have a separate domestic assault crime. Domestic violence is a label attached to listed crimes, such as assault, aggravated assault, threats, criminal trespass, criminal damage, harassment and stalking, when the victim is a spouse or former spouse, a current or former household member, a person who shares a child with the defendant, a relative, or a current or former romantic or sexual partner; the charge carries the class set by the underlying crime and is marked 'DV'. A third or later domestic violence offense within eighty-four months is aggravated domestic violence, a class 5 felony, with minimum jail of four months (two prior convictions) or eight months (three or more priors). Choking or smothering a domestic violence victim (impeding normal breathing or blood circulation by pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose and mouth) is aggravated assault, a class 4 felony. Police must arrest when domestic violence involves physical injury or a deadly weapon, with limited exceptions.

Shoplifting is knowingly taking goods from a store with intent to deprive the owner, including by removing them without paying, switching price tags or containers, or concealing them. Shoplifting property valued at less than one thousand dollars is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a fine up to $2,500), unless the property is a firearm. Repeat shoplifting becomes a class 4 felony when the person has previously committed or been convicted, within the past five years, of two or more offenses involving burglary, shoplifting, robbery, organized retail theft or theft; using a device or container to help shoplift is also a class 4 felony. Under the civil shoplifting statute, an adult shoplifter owes the store a penalty equal to the retail value of the goods plus an additional penalty of at least two hundred fifty dollars but not more than two hundred fifty dollars plus the store's actual damages.

Burglary is entering or remaining unlawfully in a place with intent to commit any theft or any felony inside. Burglary of a nonresidential structure or a fenced commercial or residential yard (or entering a car with a manipulation or master key to steal) is burglary in the third degree, a class 4 felony; burglary of a residential structure is burglary in the second degree, a class 3 felony; and burglary while knowingly possessing explosives, a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument is burglary in the first degree, a class 3 felony (class 2 felony in a residential structure). Robbery is threatening or using force against any person while taking property from that person or their immediate presence against their will; it is a class 4 felony. It is aggravated robbery, a class 3 felony, when an accomplice is actually present, and armed robbery, a class 2 felony, when the robber or an accomplice is armed with, uses, or threatens to use a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or simulated deadly weapon. For a first offense, the presumptive prison term is 2.5 years for a class 4 felony, 3.5 years for a class 3 felony and 5 years for a class 2 felony.

Vandalism is called criminal damage in Arizona: recklessly defacing, damaging or tampering with another person's property, including graffiti (drawing or inscribing a message, slogan, sign or symbol on a building or surface without the owner's permission). It is graded by the amount of damage: more than $250 but less than $1,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor; $1,000 or more but less than $2,000 is a class 6 felony; $2,000 or more but less than $10,000 is a class 5 felony; $10,000 or more is a class 4 felony; and all other criminal damage is a class 2 misdemeanor. Damage done to help a criminal street gang is a class 5 felony. Damaging a place of worship, a school, or a cemetery is aggravated criminal damage, a felony at any amount (class 6, rising to class 5 at $1,500 and class 4 at $10,000).

Criminal trespass in the third degree, a class 3 misdemeanor (up to thirty days, up to $500), is knowingly entering or remaining on real property after a reasonable request to leave or reasonable notice prohibiting entry, or on railroad tracks and yards. Criminal trespass in the second degree, a class 2 misdemeanor (up to four months, up to $750), is knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a nonresidential structure or a fenced commercial yard. Criminal trespass in the first degree covers a fenced residential yard or peering into a home from its yard (class 1 misdemeanor), entering or remaining unlawfully in a residential structure or desecrating a religious symbol on another's property (class 6 felony), and a critical public service facility (class 5 felony).

Possessing or using a narcotic drug (for example heroin, fentanyl or cocaine) is a class 4 felony, and possessing or using a dangerous drug (for example methamphetamine) is also a class 4 felony; the court must also impose a mandatory fine of at least $2,000 (narcotics) or one thousand dollars (dangerous drugs), or three times the value of the drugs if greater. For dangerous drugs other than LSD, methamphetamine, amphetamine or PCP, a person with no prior felony or drug conviction may have the offense reduced to a class 1 misdemeanor or left undesignated during probation. Possessing drug paraphernalia is a class 6 felony. Under Arizona's Proposition 200 law, a person convicted of personal possession or use of a controlled substance or paraphernalia must be placed on probation with drug treatment instead of prison, except for violent offenders, a fourth conviction, refusal of treatment or probation, or offenses involving methamphetamine.

A driver in a crash on public or private property must immediately stop, remain at the scene, give name, address and vehicle registration number, show a license on request, and give reasonable assistance to anyone injured. Leaving the scene of a crash that damages only an attended vehicle is a class 1 misdemeanor, and the court may have the license suspended for one year. Leaving the scene of a crash causing injury (other than death or serious physical injury) is a class 5 felony with a three-year license revocation; for death or serious physical injury it is a class 3 felony, or a class 2 felony if the driver caused the crash, with a license revocation of five years (serious injury) or ten years (death). Failing to render reasonable assistance to an injured person is a class 6 felony.

Reckless driving is driving a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a class 2 misdemeanor (up to four months in jail and a fine up to $750), and the judge may order the driver's license suspended for up to ninety days. A second conviction within twenty-four months (after a prior reckless driving, DUI, aggressive driving, racing or vehicular homicide conviction) is a class 1 misdemeanor with at least twenty days in jail and a one-year license suspension.

Harassment is knowingly and repeatedly doing acts that harass a specific person, or knowingly doing certain acts in a harassing way, such as contacting someone by verbal, electronic, telephone or written means, following them in public after being asked to stop, surveilling them, or making false reports about them; it is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months, up to $2,500). Harassment becomes aggravated harassment, a class 6 felony (class 5 for a repeat), when it violates a served protective order, injunction or no-contact release condition, and a class 5 felony if the harasser has a prior domestic violence conviction against the same victim. Stalking is intentionally or knowingly engaging in a course of conduct toward a person (including repeated electronic communications or GPS or online tracking) that causes emotional distress or reasonable fear of injury or property damage, a class 5 felony, or reasonable fear of death, a class 3 felony.

Resisting arrest is intentionally preventing or trying to prevent a known peace officer from making an arrest. Using or threatening physical force, or using any other means that creates a substantial risk of physical injury, is a class 6 felony; passive resistance (a nonviolent act or failure to act meant to impede or delay the arrest) is a class 1 misdemeanor. A driver who wilfully flees or tries to elude a pursuing marked police vehicle (or an unmarked one the driver knew was police) commits unlawful flight, a class 5 felony. Failing to comply with a police officer's lawful traffic order is a class 2 misdemeanor.

Knowingly failing to appear when required by law in connection with a felony is failure to appear in the first degree, a class 5 felony (presumptive 1.5 years for a first offense), regardless of how the underlying charge turns out. Failing to appear on a misdemeanor or petty offense is failure to appear in the second degree, a class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months); failing to appear after signing a written promise to appear or being served a written notice to appear (such as a citation) is a class 2 misdemeanor (up to four months).

The sentencing court decides probation violations. A probation officer may rearrest a probationer without a warrant and bring the person before the court, and the court may issue a warrant for rearrest. At any time before probation ends the court may modify or add to the conditions or, if the probationer commits a new offense or violates a condition, revoke probation 'in accordance with the Arizona rules of criminal procedure'. If the court revokes probation while the person is serving more than one probation term, it may order consecutive prison terms. The court may also terminate probation early when the ends of justice are served.

Obstructing governmental operations (using or threatening violence or force to knowingly hinder a public servant's government function or a peace officer's law enforcement) is a class 1 misdemeanor; it does not cover obstructing an arrest. Obstructing criminal investigations or prosecutions (using bribery, lies, intimidation or force to stop information or testimony about a crime from reaching police, a judge, a prosecutor or a grand jury, or injuring someone for giving it) is a class 5 felony, or a class 3 felony if done to help a criminal street gang. Influencing a witness by threats or benefits is a class 5 felony, and tampering with a witness (asking a witness to withhold testimony, lie, skip a proceeding or evade a subpoena) is a class 6 felony.

Perjury is a false sworn statement on a material issue, or a false unsworn declaration made under penalty of perjury on a material issue, believing it to be false. It is a class 4 felony (for a first offense, 1 to 3.75 years, presumptive 2.5 years). False swearing (any false sworn statement believed to be false, even if not material) is a class 6 felony (for a first offense, .33 to 2 years, presumptive 1 year).

Being drunk in public is not a crime in Arizona. State law bars counties, cities and towns from adopting or enforcing any law that makes being a common drunkard or being found intoxicated an element of an offense with criminal or civil penalties (DUI and rules on where and by whom alcohol may be used are not affected). Instead, police may take a publicly intoxicated person who is a danger to self or others, or incapacitated by alcohol, to a local alcoholism reception center for emergency evaluation and treatment.

Disorderly conduct is, with intent to disturb (or knowing you are disturbing) the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person: fighting or violent or seriously disruptive behavior; unreasonable noise; abusive or offensive language or gestures likely to provoke immediate retaliation; disrupting a lawful meeting; refusing a lawful order to disperse near a fire or other emergency; or recklessly handling, displaying or firing a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. The weapon version is a class 6 felony; all others are a class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine).

Indecent exposure is exposing one's genitals or anus (or a woman's areola or nipple) when another person is present, being reckless about whether that person would be offended or alarmed; breast-feeding is excluded. Exposure to someone 15 or older is a class 1 misdemeanor, but a class 6 felony with two or more prior indecent-exposure convictions or a prior public-sexual-indecency-to-a-minor conviction. Exposure to a child under 15 is a class 6 felony, and with two or more historical prior felony convictions of this kind it is a class 3 felony carrying 6 to 15 years. Sex-offender registration is required for a second or later exposure to a child under 15 and for a third or later indecent exposure; a judge may also order registration for any offense in this chapter.

Arizona makes both selling and buying sex crimes. Selling (offering, agreeing to or receiving a fee for sexual conduct) is a class 1 misdemeanor with mandatory consecutive jail of at least 15 days for a first conviction, 30 days for a second and 60 days for a third; a fourth or later conviction is a class 5 felony with at least 180 days. Buying (offering, agreeing to or paying a fee for sexual conduct) is a class 6 felony, with the same mandatory jail minimums, and a fourth or later conviction is a class 4 felony with at least 180 days. It is an affirmative defense to the selling charge that the person acted as a direct result of being a sex-trafficking victim.

Legal ('regulated') gambling in Arizona includes gambling under a tribal-state gaming compact or the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, gambling operated under a state or federal statute, rule or order with all taxes and fees paid and no players under 21, and event (sports) wagering conducted under Title 5, chapter 11. Social gambling among equals with no house benefit and amusement gambling are also allowed. Otherwise, promoting gambling (running or financing gambling for a benefit) is a class 5 felony, benefiting from gambling is a class 1 misdemeanor, and running an unlicensed betting business (bookmaking) is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Arizona charges embezzlement as theft. Theft includes knowingly converting, for an unauthorized term or use, property or services entrusted to the person or placed in their possession for a limited, authorized use, and taking control of a vulnerable adult's property while in a position of trust. The grade depends on value: under $1,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor; $1,000 to under $2,000 a class 6 felony; $2,000 to under $3,000 a class 5 felony; $3,000 to under $4,000 a class 4 felony; $4,000 to under $25,000 a class 3 felony; $25,000 or more a class 2 felony.

Taking the identity of another person or entity (knowingly taking, buying, making, possessing or using someone's identifying information without consent for any unlawful purpose, to cause loss, or to get or keep a job) is a class 4 felony, whether or not the victim actually loses money. It becomes aggravated, a class 3 felony, if it involves three or more victims, causes a loss of $1,000 or more, or is done to obtain employment. Fraudulent use of a credit card is a class 1 misdemeanor, a class 6 felony if $250 to under $1,000 is obtained or attempted in a six-month period, and a class 5 felony if $1,000 or more.

Forgery (with intent to defraud, falsely making, completing or altering a written instrument, knowingly possessing a forged instrument, or offering or presenting a forged or false one) is a class 4 felony, including for gift cards; it is a class 3 felony if the forged instrument is used to buy, lease or rent a smuggling 'drop house'. Possessing five or more forged instruments allows an inference of intent to defraud. Writing a bad check (knowing there are not enough funds) is a class 1 misdemeanor, but a class 6 felony for a check of $5,000 or more if the full amount with interest and fees is not paid within 60 days after notice.

Blackmail is called theft by extortion: knowingly obtaining or seeking property or services by threatening to cause injury, damage property, commit another offense, accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret or damaging claim (including on social media), take or withhold official action, or make someone part with property. It is a class 4 felony (presumptive 2.5 years for a first offense), but a class 2 felony (presumptive 5 years) if the threat is to cause death or serious injury, or injury with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. It is a defense to threats of accusation, exposure or official action that a reasonable person would believe the threat was a reasonable accusation, exposure or lawsuit.

First-degree murder is a premeditated intentional or knowing killing, a death caused during listed felonies such as sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, arson or child abuse (felony murder), or intentionally killing an on-duty law enforcement officer. It is a class 1 felony punished by death or natural life (no release ever) for an adult, or by natural life or life with no release for 25 years (35 if the victim was under 15) when the defendant was under 18; felony murder also allows life with possible release after 25 or 35 years. Second-degree murder is a killing without premeditation — intentional, knowing, or reckless with extreme indifference to human life. It is also a class 1 felony, with a first-offense prison range of 10 to 25 years (16 presumptive), and 15 to 29 years (20 presumptive) for a defendant with a prior second-degree murder or dangerous class 2 or 3 felony conviction.

Manslaughter — recklessly causing a death, a second-degree murder committed in a sudden quarrel or heat of passion provoked by the victim or under coercion, intentionally helping someone die by suicide, or an adult intentionally encouraging a minor's suicide — is a class 2 felony. When it is a dangerous offense (for example, involving a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, which can include a vehicle), a first-offense sentence is 7 to 21 years (10.5 presumptive); otherwise a first-time class 2 felony carries 4 to 10 years (5 presumptive, 3 to 12.5 with mitigation or aggravation). Negligent homicide — causing a death by criminal negligence — is a class 4 felony: 1.5 to 3 years for a first-time non-dangerous offense, or 4 to 8 years (6 presumptive) if dangerous. Arizona has no separate vehicular homicide statute; deaths caused by driving are charged under these sections.

A person with custody of a child under 16 who knowingly causes or allows the child's life to be endangered, health injured, or moral welfare harmed commits a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine). Contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child is also a class 1 misdemeanor. It becomes a felony as child abuse: under circumstances likely to cause death or serious physical injury, intentional or knowing abuse is a class 2 felony (sentenced under the dangerous-crimes-against-children law if the child is under 15), reckless abuse a class 3 felony, and criminally negligent abuse a class 4 felony; under other circumstances, the classes are 4, 5 and 6.

Arson of an occupied structure — knowingly and unlawfully damaging an occupied structure by starting a fire or causing an explosion — is a class 2 felony. Arson of an (unoccupied) structure is a class 4 felony; arson of other property is a class 4 felony if the property is worth more than $1,000, a class 5 felony if worth more than $100 up to $1,000, and a class 1 misdemeanor if worth $100 or less. Reckless burning — recklessly causing a fire or explosion that damages a structure, wildland or property — is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Most cruelty — intentionally, knowingly or recklessly subjecting an animal in your care to cruel neglect or abandonment, failing to get it needed medical care, inflicting unnecessary injury, recklessly mistreating an animal, or leaving an animal confined in a vehicle where injury or death is likely — is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months and $2,500). It is a class 6 felony to intentionally or knowingly neglect or abandon an animal causing serious physical injury, or to intentionally or knowingly subject any animal to cruel mistreatment. It is a class 5 felony to intentionally or knowingly cruelly mistreat or kill a domestic animal without legal privilege, or to kill or seriously harm a service or working animal. If a person on probation for animal cruelty is charged with a new violation and released, the court must bar them from possessing or having contact with any animal; the section does not set a general post-conviction ownership ban.

Yes. Intentionally disclosing an image of an identifiable person who is nude or engaged in sexual activity, when the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and the disclosure is meant to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce, is a class 5 felony, and a class 4 felony if done electronically (texting, email or posting online). Threatening to disclose such an image, or disclosing a realistic computer-generated or altered image, is a class 1 misdemeanor. Sending an image to someone does not by itself give up the expectation of privacy; disclosures with consent, for law enforcement, legal proceedings or reporting crime are exempt.

It is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months and $2,500) to knowingly terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass a specific person through electronic communication — including social media posts — by sending obscene or lewd messages, threatening physical harm, repeatedly sending anonymous or unwanted messages that disturb the person's peace, or posting their personal information or image to incite harassment or harm. The law applies to victims of any age; protected speech is excluded.

Arizona has a separate juvenile offense. A juvenile who intentionally or knowingly uses a phone or other electronic device to send or show a sexually explicit image of a minor commits a petty offense if shared with one person and a class 3 misdemeanor if shared with more than one; a juvenile who knowingly possesses such an image sent to them commits a petty offense. Possession is not a violation if the juvenile did not ask for the image and deleted it or reported it to a parent, guardian, school official or police. A violation after a prior adjudication or after completing a diversion program for this offense is a class 2 misdemeanor.

Arizona grades money laundering by conduct, not by dollar amount. Second-degree money laundering — handling, moving or hiding proceeds while knowing or having reason to know they come from crime, making property available for racketeering, structuring transactions or evading reporting requirements, using false identities or forged instruments, or running an unlicensed money-transmitting business — is a class 3 felony (2.5 to 7 years for a first-time non-dangerous offense). First-degree money laundering — leading, financing or managing a money-laundering enterprise, or laundering to facilitate terrorism or murder — is a class 2 felony (4 to 10 years). Third-degree money laundering — paying or taking something of value to get a money transmitter to skip compliance steps — is a class 6 felony. A pattern totaling $100,000 or more in 12 months can trigger forfeiture of substitute assets worth three times the amount.

Sex trafficking of an adult (by force, fraud or coercion) and trafficking any person for forced labor or services are class 2 felonies, with no probation, suspended sentence or early release until the sentence is served. Child sex trafficking — causing, recruiting or profiting from a minor's prostitution, or an adult engaging in prostitution with a minor — is a class 2 felony: if the minor is under 15 it is sentenced under the dangerous-crimes-against-children law and runs consecutively; if the minor is 15 to 17, the first-offense range is 13 to 27 years (20 presumptive) for traffickers, rising to natural life for a repeat offense. An adult who buys sex from a 15- to 17-year-old with knowledge of the age faces 7 to 21 years; without knowledge it is a class 5 felony (class 2 with a prior conviction).

A pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield to all vehicles, even where a tunnel or overhead crossing exists. Between adjacent intersections with working traffic signals, pedestrians may cross only in a marked crosswalk. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk where signals are not operating, and pedestrians may not suddenly step off a curb into the path of a vehicle too close to stop. These traffic-rule violations are civil traffic violations, not crimes, with a civil penalty of up to $250 plus state surcharges.

It is illegal for any person — driver or passenger — to drink alcohol while driving or in the passenger compartment, or to have an open container of spirituous liquor in the passenger compartment, of a motor vehicle on a public highway or its right-of-way. The passenger compartment includes unlocked glove boxes but not the trunk, a locked glove box, or the area behind the last upright seat of a vehicle with no trunk. Passengers in a bus, limousine, taxi or rideshare vehicle in service, and in the living quarters of a motor home, are exempt. A violation is a class 2 misdemeanor (up to 4 months in jail and a $750 fine).

It is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months and $2,500) for a person under 21 to buy, receive, possess or consume alcohol, and a person under 18 convicted for the first time may also have driving privileges suspended for up to 180 days. It is also an offense for a person under 21 to have any alcohol in their body, or to drive with any alcohol in their body (a class 1 misdemeanor). Misrepresenting age with written identification to get alcohol, or using a false, altered or someone else's ID to enter a licensed bar, is a class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum $250 fine, and the person's driver license may be suspended.

Driving on a public highway while your driving privilege is suspended, revoked, canceled or refused, or while disqualified, is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine). The portion of the statute read sets no separate penalty for repeat offenses.

A person may not drive on a highway without a valid driver license with the proper endorsement, unless exempt. The license section sets no specific penalty, so the general Title 28 rule applies: a violation is a class 2 misdemeanor (up to 4 months and $750) unless another classification is stated. Drivers must also carry a legible license and show it to an officer on request; a person cited for not carrying it is found 'not responsible' if they later show a license that was valid at the time.

Arizona's prohibited-weapons list does not include any knife, so switchblades, gravity and ballistic knives are not banned by type, and there is no blade-length limit in the weapons statutes. A person under 21 may not carry a concealed deadly weapon other than a pocket knife (class 3 misdemeanor), with exceptions at home and on family property. Knives that are deadly weapons are barred on school grounds (class 1 misdemeanor), at polling places on election day (class 1 misdemeanor), and at nuclear or hydroelectric generating stations (class 4 felony), and a person must remove a deadly weapon at a public establishment or event when asked. Cities, towns and counties may not regulate knife possession, carrying or sale beyond state law.

Only 'permissible consumer fireworks' are legal for the public: ground and handheld sparklers, fountains, torches, wheels and ground spinners, toy smoke devices and similar items (plus adult snappers in counties over 500,000). Anything that rises into the air or explodes — firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells and mines — is illegal without a display permit. Sales to anyone under 16 are banned. Retail sales are allowed April 25-May 6, May 20-July 6 and December 10-January 3 (plus Diwali in large jurisdictions); cities and counties may restrict use outside set holiday windows (around Cinco de Mayo in large counties, June 24-July 6 and December 26-January 4) and during stage-one fire restrictions in smaller counties. A violation of the fireworks article carries a $1,000 civil penalty; using fireworks on certain large city preservation lands is a class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum $1,000 fine.

Kidnapping is knowingly restraining someone in order to hold them for ransom, as a shield or hostage, or for involuntary servitude; to kill, injure or sexually assault them or help commit a felony; to put someone in reasonable fear of imminent injury; to interfere with a government function; or to seize a plane, bus, ship or other vehicle. It is a class 2 felony (first-offense range 3 to 12.5 years), with longer sentences under the dangerous-crimes-against-children law when the victim is under 15. It drops to a class 4 felony if the kidnapper voluntarily releases the victim unharmed in a safe place before arrest, and a class 3 felony if the release is under an agreement with the state without injury. Unlawful imprisonment (knowingly restraining another person) is a class 6 felony, or a class 1 misdemeanor if the victim is voluntarily released unharmed in a safe place before arrest.

Threatening someone, called 'threatening or intimidating' in Arizona, covers threatening by word or conduct to injure a person or seriously damage property, or threatening or recklessly causing serious public inconvenience such as the evacuation of a building or transit facility. It is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months), but a class 6 felony if done in retaliation for reporting a crime (or for belonging to a crime-prevention group) or by a criminal street gang member. Threatening injury or damage to get someone to join or help a street gang or racketeering enterprise is a class 3 felony.

Stealing a vehicle is called 'theft of means of transportation' (taking control of someone's vehicle intending to keep it from them permanently, keeping a vehicle entrusted for a limited purpose, getting one by misrepresentation, or controlling a vehicle known to be stolen). It is a class 3 felony (first-offense range 2 to 8.75 years). Joyriding, called 'unlawful use of means of transportation' (taking control of another's vehicle without intending to keep it), is a class 5 felony, and knowingly riding in a vehicle someone else has taken that way is a class 6 felony. A person reporting a vehicle stolen must sign an affidavit warning that false reports can be prosecuted.

Arizona treats receiving or controlling stolen property as theft: controlling property of another knowing or having reason to know it was stolen is graded by value under the general theft statute (a class 1 misdemeanor under $1,000; a class 6 felony at $1,000 up to a class 2 felony at $25,000 or more). Dealing in stolen property is a separate crime, 'trafficking in stolen property': recklessly trafficking in stolen property is second degree, a class 3 felony, and knowingly organizing, financing, directing or supervising both the theft and the trafficking is first degree, a class 2 felony.

Yes. Organized retail theft is taking merchandise from a store without paying with intent to resell or trade it, or using an artifice, container, device or other article to help remove unpaid merchandise, whether acting alone or with others. It is a class 4 felony (first-offense range 1 to 3.75 years). The section sets no dollar threshold and no aggregation rule.

Possessing dangerous or narcotic drugs for sale, selling, transporting for sale or importing them, and manufacturing them are class 2 felonies, and probation is not available. If the amount meets the statutory 'threshold amount' (for example 1 gram of heroin, 9 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine or fentanyl, 2 pounds of marijuana, or $1,000 in value for drugs not listed), the person cannot get a suspended sentence, probation, pardon or early release until the sentence is served. Methamphetamine sale or manufacturing carries 5 to 15 years (presumptive 10) for a first offense and 10 to 20 years (presumptive 15) with a prior. The court must also impose a fine of at least $1,000 for dangerous drugs or $2,000 for narcotics, or three times the drugs' value if greater.

Obtaining or procuring a dangerous or narcotic drug, or its administration, by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge is a class 3 felony (first-offense range 2 to 8.75 years), with probation available to first-time felony offenders. Doing the same with a prescription-only drug that is not a controlled substance is a class 1 misdemeanor with a mandatory $1,000 fine.

Arizona has no offense named vehicular assault. Breaking a listed traffic law (such as speeding or failing to yield) in a way that causes a crash seriously injuring or killing someone is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months), with mandatory traffic survival school, possible community restitution, and a license suspension or restriction of 90 to 180 days for serious injury or 180 days to 1 year for a death (longer for a repeat within 36 months). More serious cases may be charged as aggravated assault, which covers causing serious physical injury to another or using a dangerous instrument and is a class 3 felony (class 2 if the victim is under 15).

Racing, drag racing, acceleration contests or exhibitions of speed on a street or highway are a class 1 misdemeanor for a first violation, with a fine of at least $250 and a possible license suspension of up to 90 days. A second violation within 24 months is a class 6 felony, with at least 10 days in jail before release, a fine of at least $500, and a one-year suspension of driving privileges. Knowingly aiding or abetting a race is a class 2 misdemeanor (class 1 for a repeat within 24 months).

It is illegal to operate or be in control of a motorized watercraft that is underway while impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol or drugs, with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours, with any illegal drug or its metabolite in the body, or at 0.04 or more on a commercial boat. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor: a first offense carries at least 10 consecutive days in jail, a fine of at least $250, two $500 assessments and alcohol or drug screening, though the judge may suspend jail if the person completes treatment. A second violation within 84 months carries at least 90 days in jail (30 consecutive), a fine of at least $500, at least 30 hours of community restitution and two $1,250 assessments.

Arizona's insurance code lists fraudulent practices, such as knowingly giving false or misleading statements in an insurance application, claim or rating, hiding assets from regulators, or using 'runners' to steer claims. Committing one of these with intent to injure, defraud or deceive an insurer is a class 6 felony (first-offense range 0.33 to 2 years). Separately, knowingly presenting a false or fraudulent claim for a loss, or making a document to support one, is a class 5 felony (0.5 to 2.5 years). The statutes read set no dollar-based grades.

Welfare fraud (knowingly getting public assistance or services, or more than one is entitled to, by a false statement, impersonation or other fraud) is a class 6 felony (first-offense range 0.33 to 2 years). A person found to have committed an intentional program violation, or convicted of a crime against an assistance program, is disqualified for 12 months for a first violation, 24 months for a second, and permanently for a third. Unemployment fraud (knowingly lying or hiding a material fact to get or increase benefits) is also a class 6 felony, and each false statement is a separate offense.

Bribery of a public servant or party officer (offering or giving a benefit to corruptly influence an official's vote, decision or official action, or an official asking for or accepting one) is a class 4 felony (first-offense range 1 to 3.75 years). It is no defense that the official had not yet taken office or lacked jurisdiction. Commercial bribery (giving an employee a benefit without the employer's consent to influence their work in a way that causes the employer economic loss, or the employee accepting it) is a class 5 felony if the benefit is over $1,000, a class 6 felony from $100 to $1,000, and a class 1 misdemeanor under $100.

Failing to pay a state tax with intent to evade it is a class 5 felony (first-offense range 0.5 to 2.5 years), though a first violation may be designated a class 1 misdemeanor. Knowingly failing to file a return or supply required information, or falsifying records, intending the Department of Revenue to rely on it, is a class 5 felony, as is knowingly preparing or presenting a false or fraudulent return or claim. Cigarette-tax evasion has separate grades, up to a class 4 felony.

Sexual assault (intentionally or knowingly having sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with someone without consent) is a class 2 felony with its own sentencing range: for a first offense 5.25 years minimum, 7 years presumptive and 14 years maximum, served without probation, suspension or early release. The range goes up by three years if the offender secretly gave the victim a date-rape drug (flunitrazepam, GHB or ketamine), and a sexual assault sentence must run consecutively to any other sexual assault sentence. If the offender intentionally or knowingly caused serious physical injury, the court may impose life with no release for at least 25 years. Sex with a minor is charged under separate statutes; see the age-of-consent page.

Molestation of a child (intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual contact, other than with the female breast, with a child under 15) is a class 2 felony sentenced as a dangerous crime against children: for a first offense 10 years minimum, 17 presumptive and 24 maximum. Continuous sexual abuse of a child carries 39 / 60 / 81 years for a first offense. An adult who commits sexual assault or sexual conduct with a child 12 or younger (other than masturbatory contact) must be sentenced to life, with no release for at least 35 years. Sentences for dangerous crimes against children in the first or second degree run consecutively to other sentences.

Arizona calls this sexual exploitation of a minor: knowingly making, copying, distributing or possessing a visual depiction of a minor engaged in exploitive exhibition or other sexual conduct. The law also covers a child sex doll made to look like a real child under 12, and watching a nude minor for sexual gratification (consensual conduct between minors 15 or older is excluded from that part). It is a class 2 felony; when the minor is under 15 it is a dangerous crime against children carrying 10 years minimum, 17 presumptive and 24 maximum for a first offense. Depictions admitted as evidence must be sealed by the court.

Luring a minor for sexual exploitation (offering or soliciting sexual conduct with someone the person knows or has reason to know is a minor) is a class 3 felony, and it is no defense that the other person was not actually a minor (for example, an undercover officer). If the minor is under 15 it is a dangerous crime against children (5 / 10 / 15 years for a first offense). Aggravated luring, which adds sending a sexually explicit image harmful to minors by phone or computer as part of the solicitation, is a class 2 felony, or 10 / 17 / 24 years if the minor is under 15. Both offenses bar probation, suspension and early release.

People convicted of listed offenses (such as sexual assault, molestation of a child, continuous sexual abuse of a child, child sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of a minor, luring a minor and repeat indecent exposure, plus equivalent out-of-state offenses) must register with the county sheriff within 10 days after conviction, or within 72 hours (not counting weekends and holidays) after entering and staying in an Arizona county for 72 hours. A court may also order registration for some other offenses and for juveniles adjudicated delinquent; a juvenile's duty ends at age 25 and may be ended earlier after probation. Registration for unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping of a minor lasts 10 years from release unless the person has a prior qualifying conviction. Failing to comply with the registration law is a class 4 felony (1.5 / 2.5 / 3 years for a first offense), and one specified violation (§ 13-3821(J)) is a class 6 felony with a $250 assessment.

A person convicted of a felony (or adjudicated delinquent for a felony) whose civil right to possess or carry a firearm has not been restored is a 'prohibited possessor,' as is a person currently on probation for a felony or a domestic violence offense. Possessing a deadly weapon or prohibited weapon as a prohibited possessor is misconduct involving weapons, a class 4 felony (1.5 / 2.5 / 3 years for a first offense). A judge may restore gun rights in his or her discretion, but a person convicted of a serious offense must wait 10 years from absolute discharge to apply, and a person convicted of a dangerous offense may not apply.

Hacking is called computer tampering in Arizona: acting without authority or beyond authorization to access, alter or damage a computer system to defraud, delete or destroy data, introduce a computer contaminant (malware), disrupt services, use a computer to seriously alarm or terrorize someone, keep a user from leaving a site, or get confidential government or health information. Tampering to defraud is a class 3 felony. Altering data, planting malware or disrupting service is a class 4 felony, or class 2 if the target is a critical infrastructure resource. Using a computer to terrorize someone is a class 5 felony, and getting confidential information or simply accessing a system without authority is a class 6 felony.

Arizona is a one-party consent state. Intentionally intercepting a phone or electronic communication you are not part of, or a conversation where you are not present, without the consent of a party is a class 5 felony (0.75 / 1.5 / 2 years for a first offense). The law exempts interception with the consent of a party to the communication or a person present during it, so a participant may record their own calls and conversations.

Knowingly making a false, fraudulent or unfounded report or statement to an Arizona law enforcement agency, or misrepresenting a fact to mislead a peace officer, is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months). Falsely reporting a bombing, fire or other emergency to set off an emergency response, put someone in fear, or empty a building or public place is a class 1 misdemeanor, and a class 6 felony for a second or later offense. Falsely reporting a serious offense at a school or place of worship to trigger an emergency response is a class 6 felony, and the person must pay the cost of the response.

Arizona has no separate hate crime offense; bias works as a sentencing aggravator. Evidence that the defendant committed a crime out of malice toward the victim because of the victim's actual or perceived identity in a listed group (race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, antisemitism or disability) is an aggravating circumstance. A found aggravator lets the court impose more than the presumptive term, up to the aggravated (highest) term, and if no mitigating factor is found the court must impose an aggravated sentence.

Parole applies only to felonies committed before January 1, 1994, and to certain life sentences that allow parole; people who committed felonies on or after that date are released to community supervision instead. If there is reasonable cause to believe an offender violated community supervision, the Department of Corrections or a member of the Board of Executive Clemency can petition the board to revoke it, and the board's chair may issue a summons or arrest warrant. Hearing officers hold probable cause hearings, and the board may revoke community supervision and return the offender to prison for the rest of the supervision term, add conditions, or (if no new offense was committed) order electronic monitoring.

Arizona charges disobeying an order of protection as interfering with judicial proceedings (disobeying or resisting a lawful court order), a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Every order of protection must warn that disobeying it can lead to arrest and prosecution for that crime and any other crime committed. A peace officer may arrest without a warrant on probable cause that the order was violated.

In Arizona the prosecutor files juvenile cases directly in adult court. The county attorney must prosecute a juvenile as an adult if he or she was 15, 16 or 17 and is accused of first- or second-degree murder, forcible sexual assault, armed robbery, another listed violent felony, or any felony as a chronic felony offender (two prior felony-level adjudications). The county attorney may choose adult prosecution for a juvenile 14 or older accused of a class 1 or 2 felony, certain class 3 felonies, a dangerous-offense felony, or a felony as a chronic felony offender. A juvenile with a historical prior felony conviction must be tried as an adult. If the court finds the state did not prove chronic-offender status, the case goes back to juvenile court.

Arizona has the death penalty for first degree murder. When the state files a notice seeking death, an adult convicted of premeditated murder or murder of a law enforcement officer is sentenced to death or natural life (no release of any kind), and for felony murder the options are death, life or natural life; the trier of fact chooses between death and life by weighing aggravating and mitigating circumstances. A defendant under 18 cannot be sentenced to death. Executions are by lethal injection under the Department of Corrections; a person sentenced for an offense committed before November 23, 1992 may choose lethal injection or lethal gas, and lethal injection is used if no choice is made.

In Arizona a felony conviction suspends the right to vote (along with the rights to hold public office, serve on a jury and possess a firearm). A person with only one felony conviction gets voting and other civil rights back automatically when probation is completed or on absolute discharge from prison, as long as all victim restitution has been paid. A person with two or more felony convictions, or who still owes restitution, can apply to the superior court after completing probation or receiving an absolute discharge, and the judge decides whether to restore the rights.

Arizona restores civil rights (voting, holding office, jury service) automatically for a first-time felony offender who completes probation or receives an absolute discharge and has paid all victim restitution; the sentencing court must tell the person in writing whether restoration will be automatic or when they can apply. Others apply to the superior court after final discharge, with no filing fee, and restoration is at the judge's discretion; a denial must state reasons in writing. Firearm rights are not restored automatically for anyone convicted of a dangerous or serious offense, who must petition the court separately. A person can also ask the court to set aside the conviction after completing the sentence, which releases most penalties and disabilities, except for dangerous offenses, offenses requiring sex offender registration and certain crimes against children under 15.

Arizona's repetitive offender law gives longer prison ranges based on 'historical prior felony convictions': one prior makes a category two repetitive offender and two or more priors make a category three repetitive offender. For a category three offender the presumptive term is 15.75 years for a class 2 felony (14 to 28), 11.25 years for class 3 (10 to 20), 10 years for class 4 (8 to 12), 5 years for class 5 (4 to 6) and 3.75 years for class 6 (3 to 4.5). Separately, a person convicted of a serious offense after two or more prior serious offenses gets life with no release for at least 25 years, and a person convicted of a violent or aggravated felony after two or more such priors on separate occasions (within 15 years, excluding time in custody) gets life with commutation possible only after 35 years.

Arizona's Attorney General concluded in Opinion I24-005 (March 11, 2024) that Arizona law does not permit the sale of delta-8, delta-10 or other hemp-synthesized intoxicants by businesses not licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, so convenience stores and smoke shops may not sell them. The opinion reasons that Arizona's industrial hemp law excludes hemp derivatives and extracts and that intoxicating cannabis products are Schedule I controlled substances that only licensed cannabis sellers may sell. An Attorney General opinion is the office's legal interpretation, not a statute or court ruling.

Psilocybin and psilocyn are listed as hallucinogenic 'dangerous drugs' in Arizona. Possessing or using a dangerous drug is a class 4 felony (presumptive 2.5 years for a first offense), though on the state's motion the court may enter a class 1 misdemeanor conviction for a person with no prior felony or drug possession conviction. People with no prior felony conviction convicted of simple possession are eligible for probation under the conditions the statute sets.

Kratom is legal and regulated in Arizona. Processors and retailers may not sell kratom products to anyone under 18, may not sell products adulterated with dangerous non-kratom substances, containing synthetic alkaloids (including synthetic mitragynine), or with 7-hydroxymitragynine above 2% of the alkaloid fraction, and must label the mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content. A processor or retailer who violates these rules commits a class 2 misdemeanor, and a person harmed can sue for damages.

Arizona's hemp statute does not separately regulate CBD retail sales in the sections read. The industrial hemp law defines 'hemp products' to exclude any product made to be ingested other than food made from sterile hemp seed or hemp seed oil, and the Department of Agriculture licenses growing and processing of industrial hemp (no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC). The Attorney General's 2024 opinion restricting delta-8 sales says it does not apply to non-intoxicating products such as CBD.

In Arizona it is a petty offense to knowingly sell, give or furnish a tobacco product or alternative nicotine product to someone under 21. A person under 21 who buys or possesses these products commits a petty offense and must pay a fine of at least $100 or perform at least 30 hours of community restitution, and misrepresenting age to get them is a petty offense with a fine of up to $500.

Arizona's abuse statute covers vulnerable adults, meaning anyone 18 or older who cannot protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation because of a mental or physical impairment (it is not age-based). A caregiver or other person who causes or permits injury or endangerment of a vulnerable adult in circumstances likely to cause death or serious physical injury commits a class 2 felony if done intentionally or knowingly, class 3 if reckless, and class 4 if criminally negligent; in other circumstances it is a class 4, 5 or 6 felony by the same mental states. Financial exploitation by a person in a position of trust is addressed by a civil statute that requires using a vulnerable adult's assets only for that adult's benefit and allows suits for damages.

In Arizona, knowingly invading another person's privacy without their knowledge for sexual stimulation (for example photographing or recording someone undressed, in sexual activity or using the toilet where they reasonably expect not to be viewed or recorded) is voyeurism, a class 5 felony. Disclosing, displaying, distributing or publishing such an image without consent is also a class 5 felony, and a class 4 felony if the person shown is recognizable.

In Arizona, an assault committed knowing or having reason to know the victim is a first responder (including a peace officer) is aggravated assault, a class 4 felony, or a class 3 felony if the first responder suffers any physical injury; it is no defense that the officer was off duty. The same aggravated assault paragraph covers other listed workers such as constables, teachers and school employees, health care workers, prosecutors, public defenders, judicial officers, code enforcement officers, park rangers and transit and airport employees. Simple assault, by contrast, is a misdemeanor: class 1 for intentionally or knowingly causing physical injury, class 2 if reckless, and class 3 for threats or offensive touching.