{"id":371521,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-criminal-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-03-26T10:55:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T15:55:45","slug":"arizona-criminal-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-criminal-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Criminal Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Arizona Criminal Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Arizona’s criminal statutes identify a wide range of conduct considered illegal, such as theft or murder, made punishable by fines, imprisonment, and other sanctions.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\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

Arizona\u2019s criminal code (ARS Title 13) defines the criminal offenses and punishments for Arizona. Arizona\u2019s penal code covers everything from homicide (ARS 13-1105<\/a>) to operating a motor vehicle chop shop (ARS 13-4702<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Arizona\u2019s criminal code defines criminal liability as well as the types of offenses. In Arizona, the minimum requirement to commit a crime is performing the voluntary act, or failing to perform a required act one is capable of performing (ARS 13-201<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

In 2019, Arizona abolished common law offenses and affirmative defenses (ARS 13-103). In an affirmative defense<\/a> the defendant claims there are valid reasons they are not liable for their acts. Common law crimes<\/a> are those not codified into law.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona\u2019s Criminal Justice System<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In Arizona, as in most states, classifies criminal cases into felonies<\/a> and misdemeanors. Each classification has several levels, depending on the nature of the crime and other factors. In general, the lower the class, the more serious the crime, and the more severe the penalties.<\/p>\r\n

Felonies have six classes.<\/p>\r\n