Felony Classifications & Sentencing in Arizona

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Felony Classifications & Sentencing in Arizona

In a previous post, we covered the difference between a misdemeanor and felony, as well as the different levels and sentences for misdemeanors. In this post, we’d like to discuss felonies in more depth. If you’ve been charged with a felony in Arizona, the first thing you should do is hire a qualified and tested criminal felony lawyer like Todd Coolidge of Coolidge Law Firm. Secondly, you’ll want to know how felonies are classified and what the standard presumptive sentencing is for each class.

Felony Classifications & Sentencing in Arizona

Arizona is one of America’s states unique in its classifications and sentencing of felonies. In our state, any sentence requiring time in a State Prison is automatically considered a felony. Generally speaking, a felony is a crime of a more severe nature and carries with it a minimum punishment of 12 months in prison.

Class 1 Felony

A class one felony is reserved for the most serious of crimes and for that reason is punishable by death or life in prison. The only crimes in this category in Arizona are first and second-degree murder.

Class 2 Felony

A class two felony in Arizona has a standard presumptive term of 5 years in prison and it goes up to 12.5 years if the crime is considered aggravated. Examples of class two felonies include: possession of dangerous drugs for sale, first-degree burglary with a firearm, and sexual assault of a child.

Class 3 Felony

A class three felony holds a standard presumptive sentence of 3.5 years in prison, with an aggravated sentence of 8.75 years. Examples of class three felonies include: possession of more than two pounds of marijuana, certain forms of theft, certain forms of aggravated assault, and certain forms of stalking.

Class 4 Felony

A class four felony holds a standard presumptive sentence of 2.5 years in prison, with an aggravated sentence of 3.75 years. Examples of class four felonies include: simple possession of dangerous drugs, the illegal growing of marijuana, and theft of property over $3,000.

Class 5 Felony

A class five felony holds a standard presumptive sentence of 1.5 years in prison with an aggravated sentence of 2.5 years. Examples of class five felonies include: credit card theft, aggravated assault on a police officer, public sexual indecency in front of a minor, and unlawful flight from law enforcement.

Class 6 Felony

A class 6 felony is the least severe of all felonies and is punishable by a year in prison with an aggravated sentence of 2 years. Examples of class six felonies include: aggravated DUI, resisting arrest, illegal possession of marijuana, and theft of property over $1,000.

A Criminal Felony Lawyer You Can Trust

As a criminal felony lawyer serving Phoenix who has spent more than three decades practicing law, Todd Coolidge is the attorney you call when you’ve come into trouble with the law. Because having a felony on your record can be detrimental to your family and everyday life, not to mention the time you might spend in prison, you want to hire the right attorney the first time around! Call or visit our website and schedule your free consultation today.

 

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