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.
