Criminal penalties in Arizona
Checked in October 2026 against the Arizona Revised Statutes (azleg.gov).
These are statutory ranges for a first offence, from the least to the most the law allows. A court decides the actual sentence in each case. Not legal advice.
How Arizona sets penalties
- Arizona sorts felonies into classes, from Class 1 (the most serious) to Class 6, and sets a range for each class for a first offence: a minimum, a usual (presumptive) term and a maximum (§ 13-702).
- The court may lower the term to a 'mitigated' term or raise it to an 'aggravated' term, but only on specific factors that are proved or admitted. The ranges shown run from the mitigated to the aggravated term.
- If the offence is a 'dangerous offence' (one involving a deadly weapon or serious injury), higher ranges apply: for example 7 to 21 years for a Class 2 felony (§ 13-704).
- Felony fines may be up to $150,000 (§ 13-801), and a Class 1 misdemeanor fine up to $2,500 (§ 13-802).
Death penalty: Arizona's law allows a sentence of death for first-degree murder (§§ 13-751 and 13-752).
First-degree murder
Death, or life imprisonment (no release for at least 25 years), or natural life
First-degree murder (Class 1 felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Death; or life imprisonment, with no release for at least 25 years (35 if the victim was under 15); or natural life, with no release at all
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A person under 18 at the time of the offence cannot receive death, but may receive life or natural life.
Second-degree murder
10 to 25 years
Second-degree murder (Class 1 felony)
- Least
- 10 years
- Most
- 25 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 16 years. For a person with an earlier second-degree murder or a serious dangerous felony, the range is 15 to 29 years. A different, higher range applies if the victim was under 15 (§ 13-705).
Voluntary manslaughter
3 to 12.5 years (7 to 21 years if a dangerous offence)
Manslaughter (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). If it is a dangerous offence, the range is 7 to 21 years (§ 13-704).
Arizona has a single manslaughter offence. It covers recklessly causing a death and killing on a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion.
Robbery
1 to 3.75 years (robbery) up to 3 to 12.5 years (armed robbery)
Robbery (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Aggravated robbery (Class 3 felony)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 8.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 3.5 years, between 2.5 and 7 years; 2 years if mitigated and 8.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Armed robbery (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). If it is a dangerous offence, the range is 7 to 21 years (§ 13-704).
Burglary
1 to 3.75 years (third degree) up to 3 to 12.5 years (first degree, residential)
Burglary in the third degree (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Burglary in the second degree (residential structure) (Class 3 felony)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 8.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 3.5 years, between 2.5 and 7 years; 2 years if mitigated and 8.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Burglary in the first degree of a residential structure (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). First-degree burglary of a non-residential structure or a fenced yard is a Class 3 felony. If it is a dangerous offence, the Class 2 range is 7 to 21 years (§ 13-704).
Arson
1 to 3.75 years (a structure) up to 3 to 12.5 years (an occupied structure)
Arson of a structure (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702). Arson of property (not a structure) is a lesser felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the value (§ 13-1703).
Arson of an occupied structure (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702).
Aggravated assault
0.33 to 2 years (Class 6) up to 3 to 12.5 years (Class 2)
Aggravated assault (Class 6 forms) (Class 6 felony)
- Least
- 0.33 years (about 4 months)
- Most
- 2 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 1 year, between 0.5 and 1.5 years; about 4 months if mitigated and 2 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Aggravated assault (Class 4 forms) (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Aggravated assault (Class 3 forms, such as serious injury or a deadly weapon) (Class 3 felony)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 8.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 3.5 years, between 2.5 and 7 years; 2 years if mitigated and 8.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Aggravated assault (Class 2 forms, for example on a first responder or law-enforcement employee) (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). If it is a dangerous offence, the range is 7 to 21 years (§ 13-704).
Arizona's aggravated assault statute has many forms. The class depends on the circumstances, such as a deadly weapon, serious injury or the victim's position (for example a first responder). The highest class is a Class 2 felony.
Rape and sexual assault
5.25 to 14 years, and no probation
Sexual assault (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 5.25 years
- Most
- 14 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 7 years. The person is not eligible for probation or suspension of the sentence. Longer ranges apply for a prior conviction (7 to 21 years and 14 to 28 years) and if serious physical injury was knowingly caused, life imprisonment is possible (§ 13-1406).
Kidnapping
1 to 3.75 years (victim released unharmed) up to 3 to 12.5 years
Kidnapping, where the victim is released voluntarily without injury in a safe place before arrest (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Kidnapping (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). If it is a dangerous offence, the range is 7 to 21 years (§ 13-704).
Embezzlement
Up to 6 months (a small amount) to 3 to 12.5 years (a very large amount)
Theft of a small amount (under the felony limit) (Class 1 misdemeanor)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Fine
- Fine of up to $2,500
Theft of a larger amount (Class 6 to Class 3 felonies, by value) (Class 6 felony)
- Least
- 0.33 years (about 4 months)
- Most
- 2 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 1 year, between 0.5 and 1.5 years; about 4 months if mitigated and 2 years if aggravated (§ 13-702). Class 6 is the lowest felony grade. Higher values are Class 5, 4 and 3 felonies.
Theft of a very large amount (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). The highest grade is a Class 2 felony.
Arizona treats embezzlement as theft by 'converting' property that was entrusted to the person (§ 13-1802(A)(2)). The class depends on the value taken: from a Class 1 misdemeanor for a small amount up to a Class 2 felony for a very large amount.
Forgery
1 to 3.75 years (Class 4), or 2 to 8.75 years (Class 3) in a narrow case
Forgery (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702). It is a Class 3 felony if the forged instrument is used in connection with buying, leasing or renting a dwelling used as a drop house.
Forgery used to buy or rent a drop house (Class 3 felony)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 8.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 3.5 years, between 2.5 and 7 years; 2 years if mitigated and 8.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Drunk driving, first offence
At least 10 days in jail (nearly all can be suspended after treatment), up to 6 months, and a fine
Driving under the influence, first offence (Class 1 misdemeanor)
- Least
- At least 10 consecutive days in jail
- Most
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Fine
- Fine of at least $250, plus mandatory assessments
The judge may suspend all but one day of the jail term if the person completes a court-ordered alcohol or drug screening, education or treatment programme. A higher-alcohol offence (extreme DUI) carries stiffer terms under a different section.
Compare with: Iowa, California, New York, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, South Carolina, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alabama, Alaska, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Vermont, West Virginia, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut.
