When you are facing a criminal charge accompanied by a Dangerousness allegation in Arizona, you may feel entirely helpless. The prosecution will likely seek the most severe punishments for you. Aggravating circumstances and Arizona’s “Dangerous offense” law will drastically increase your potential punishment. You need a skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney fighting for your rights.

Dangerous Offense Statutes in Arizona

According to A.R.S. 13-105(13), a Dangerous offense is any criminal offense that includes the following:

– the discharge, use or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument

OR

– the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury on another person.

 

According to A.R.S. 13-105(12), a “Dangerous Instrument” is “anything that under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.”

A “Deadly Weapon” is defined by A.R.S. 13-105(15) as “anything designed for lethal use, including a firearm.”

Finally, according to A.R.S. 13-105(39), a “serious physical injury” is defined to “include physical injury that creates a reasonable risk of death, or that causes serious and permanent disfigurement, serious impairment of health or loss or protracted impairment of the function of any bodily organ or limb.”

A variety of criminal behaviors can be alleged as Dangerous offenses in Arizona, including, but not limited to, the following:

· Kidnapping

· Criminal Assault

· Aggravated Assault

· First-degree burglary and arson

· Using threats or intimidation

· Armed Robbery

· Manslaughter

· Sexual assault

· Violence against children

· Disorderly Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon

 

Arizona’s Penalties for Dangerous Crimes

Sentences for convictions of crimes charged as Dangerous offenses, which require MANDATORY prison time, even for an offender with no previous criminal history, are outlined in Arizona Statute A.R.S. 13-704(A):

· Class 2 felony: 7 to 21 years in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000 plus surcharges

· Class 3 felony: 5 to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000 plus surcharges

· Class 4 felony: 4 to 8 years in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000 plus surcharges

· Class 5 felony: 2 to 4 years in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000 plus surcharges

· Class 6 felony: 1.5 to 3 years in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000 plus surcharges

As you can see, the State of Arizona takes Dangerous offenses extremely seriously and the potential punishments a Defendant may face are severe.

Contact our Arizona Attorney with Experience Handling Dangerous Offenses

If you are being investigated, have been detained, or have already been charged with a dangerous offense, you should speak with an experienced and competent lawyer immediately. Rising Phoenix Law Group has extensive experience handling Dangerous felony offenses to include a full acquittal of a client charged with 3 separate felony counts of Dangerous offenses at trial.

Contact Rising Phoenix Law Group now, and we’ll determine the best course of action to defend against the accusations made against you.