13 Jun Assaulting Hospital or Medical Staff Is a Felony in Arizona
Having to spend time in a hospital or doctor’s office can be a difficult and trying experience for many people. But for some, the stress and emotional strain sometimes gets to be too much. Out of anger or fear, they might start lashing out and trying to hurt the doctors or nurses. According to the CDC, physical violence is a growing concern for hospital and medical staff.
However, assaulting a medical professional while they are working is a crime. And lashing out physically can have serious consequences, regardless of the damage done.
If You Harm Any Hospital Staff, You Can Be Charged with Aggravated Assault
The state of Arizona defines assault in three ways:
- Intentionally causing physical injury to another person
- Knowingly causing another person fear of physical harm
- Touching another person in order to provoke, injure, or insult them
Typically, assault is a misdemeanor in Arizona. However, assaulting medical staff when they are on duty counts as aggravated assault, which is a felony.
For example, aggravated assault can include:
- Using a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument
- Assaulting an on-duty police officer, firefighter, or EMT
- Assaulting a medical professional while they are working
There are two exceptions to assault being classified as aggravated when it’s against a medical professional:
- The medical professional is not acting within the scope of their job
- The person who committed the assault does not have the mental capacity to understand or form intent behind their actions
Hurting Hospital Staff on Duty Is a Felony
Assault against a medical professional is a class 4 felony in Arizona, and the consequences can be quite severe. Any prior assault convictions will make the sentencing even harsher.
Sentences for a class 4 felony conviction can include:
- A minimum of 1 year in prison, with a maximum of 15 years
- Fines, fees, and restitution to be determined by the judge
- The loss of civil rights, like voting, possessing a firearm, obtaining certain professional licenses, and immediate disqualification for public assistance, like SNAP
Certified Criminal Defense Attorney Todd Coolidge
If you have been charged with assaulting medical staff, building a reliable defense is extremely important. Choosing the best attorney will help you secure the best possible outcome. Here at Todd Coolidge Law Firm, your case will always be handled by a certified defense attorney—it will never be pushed to the side, ignored, or handed off to someone inexperienced.
Don’t trust your freedom to chance—contact us today to request a consultation.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/4/25). Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.