16 Jan What Counts as a Dangerous Crime?
Dangerous crimes are felonies that involve deadly weapons, dangerous instruments, or deadly actions. Crimes against children also fall into this category. Because dangerous crimes are considered more extreme, they have even harsher consequences than regular felony convictions. We explain how the state of Arizona defines dangerous crimes, and give some examples below.
Examples of Dangerous Crimes
The intentional infliction of physical harm, the use of a deadly weapon, or reckless actions that might cause death or serious injury can all be considered dangerous crimes. Let’s go over each of those three categories.
Use of deadly weapons:
Guns and knives are the most common examples, but deadly weapons can be anything that is designed for lethal use. This includes weapons like bombs, grenades, and poison gas.
Use of dangerous instruments:
Anything that can be used (or misused) to harm another person counts as a dangerous instrument. This could mean running into someone with a vehicle, hitting them with a crowbar, or even setting a guard dog on them.
Deadly actions:
Crimes that caused permanent disfigurement, impairment, or had the possibility of immediate death are deadly actions. This could include things like pointing a firework toward an occupied building and setting it on fire, shooting a gun in an occupied area, or inciting a riot.
Here are some of the felonies that are considered dangerous crimes in Arizona:
- Armed robbery
- Arson of an occupied building
- Discharging a firearm in an occupied building
- Drive-by-shootings
- First or second degree murder
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Sex trafficking
- Sexual assault
- Terrorism
How Are Dangerous Crimes Punished in Arizona?
During sentencing for a regular felony, there is often some room to negotiate. The defense may argue for reduced prison time, probation, enrollment in classes or therapy instead of fines, and other mitigations. However, this is not the case for dangerous crimes.
Crimes classed as dangerous will typically have higher fines, mandatory prison sentences, and no options for probation or parole.
Dangerous crimes have minimum prison terms, which mean there is no possibility of a reduced sentence. Prison terms may be even longer if there were any previous convictions. For instance, a dangerous offender who has two or more prior convictions could be facing imprisonment for life, without the possibility of parole.
Minimum Prison Terms for Dangerous Crimes |
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| Felony Class | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd offense |
| Class 6 | 1.5 – 3 years | 3 – 4.5 years | 4.5 – 6 years |
| Class 5 | 2 – 4 years | 4 – 6 years | 6 – 8 years |
| Class 4 | 4 – 8 years | 8 – 12 years | 12 – 16 years |
| Class 3 | 5 – 15 years | 10 – 20 years | 15 – 25 years |
| Class 2 | 7 – 21 years | 14 – 28 years | 21 – 35 years |
Facing a Felony? You Need an Attorney
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