{"id":371490,"date":"2017-08-18T19:06:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-19T00:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-assault-and-battery-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-05T15:07:17","modified_gmt":"2018-03-05T20:07:17","slug":"arizona-assault-and-battery-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-assault-and-battery-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Assault and Battery Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Assault and Battery Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

You don\u2019t need to injure another person to be charged or convicted of assault in Arizona. In fact, you can be charged with assault without ever even touching another person.<\/p>\n

Assault and battery are typical charges brought after a fight or brawl<\/a>. An assault is an attempt or threat to injure another person, while a battery occurs when there is actual harmful or offensive contact with another person. The following overview will help familiarize you with Arizona\u2019s assault and battery laws.<\/p>\n

Overview of Arizona Assault and Battery Laws<\/h2>\n

This chart provides a summary of important aspects of Arizona\u2019s assault laws.<\/p>\n\n

Arizona Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Statutory Definitions<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Intentionally<\/b>: A person’s objective is to cause that result, or to engage in that conduct.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    • Knowingly<\/b>: A person is aware or believes their conduct is of that nature, or that the circumstance exists. It does not require any knowledge of the unlawfulness of the act or omission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      • Recklessly: <\/b>A person is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that a certain result will occur, or that the circumstance exists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Assault Classifications and Sentences<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Class 1 Assault <\/b>
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    • Class 1 misdemeanor<\/li>\n
    • Fines not more than $2,500<\/li>\n
    • Maximum sentence of 6 months in jail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Class 2 Assault <\/b>
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      • Class 2 misdemeanor<\/li>\n
      • Fines not more than $750<\/li>\n
      • Maximum sentence of 4 months in jail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Class 3 Assault<\/b>
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        • Class 3 misdemeanor<\/li>\n
        • Fines not more than $500<\/li>\n
        • Maximum sentence of 30 days in jail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Aggravated Assault<\/b>
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          • Class 2 to Class 5 Felony depending on circumstances<\/li>\n
          • When classified as a \u201cdangerous offense\u201d there is mandatory jail.<\/li>\n
          • First offense, up to 15 years in prison.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Related Charges<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n