The state of Arizona follows a mandatory sentencing scheme for felony offenders. What this means is that when determining the sentence for a defendant, the judge will look at certain factors to see what range the crime falls into. The Arizona felony sentencing chart can help those convicted of a felony anticipate what punishment they may be up against. At Belén Law Firm, our legal team has an extensive knowledge of Arizona’s sentencing laws and guidelines. If you find yourself in legal trouble and are curious as to what sentence you may be looking at, we’ve provided charts for each category below. Further, if you seek professional counsel and aggressive representation for your case, reach out today (602-715-0908). Arizona Sentencing GuidelinesThe sentencing guidelines for regular felonies in Arizona fall under sections 13-702 and 13-703 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Meanwhile, A.R.S. 13-704 covers dangerous offenses and 13-705 covers dangerous crimes against children. As we mentioned before, there are multiple factors that a judge must consider to establish what category an offense falls into. The factors that a judge will look at include whether the crime was a dangerous or non-dangerous offense, whether the defendant has any historical priors, and whether the crime was a repeat or first offense. In the state of Arizona, first and second-degree murder are the only crimes charged as class 1 felonies. Class 1 felonies are not included in the Arizona felony sentencing chart. First-degree murder charges in Arizona are punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. Second-degree murder charges are punishable with anywhere from 16 years to life imprisonment. A dangerous felony is one that is a serious and violent or aggravated offense. In addition to both first and second-degree murder, these charges include:
Sentencing for dangerous felonies depends on whether the crime was a first or repeat offense. What are the circumstances that allow a judge to find either aggravated or mitigated sentences in felony sentencing?For defendants with a non-dangerous, first offense felony, both mitigating and aggravating factors are looked at. To reduce a sentence below the minimum, the defendant must prove at least two mitigating factors. This includes the defendant’s age and the role he or she played in the crime. Likewise, with increasing the sentence beyond the maximum, two aggravating factors must be present. Aggravating factors include the age of the victim and whether or not an accomplice was present at the occurrence of the crime. AZ Sentencing ChartGENERAL CRIMESWith the exception of certain drug convictions, anyone convicted of a first offense, non-dangerous felony is eligible for probation. The sentencing chart for general crimes is as follows:
NON-DANGEROUS FELONIESThe sentencing chart for non-dangerous felonies is broken down into 3 separate charts based on the number of previous offenses in the defendant’s criminal history. Category 1 represents one previous conviction, Category 2 represents two previous convictions, and Category 3 represents three. The non-dangerous felonies chart is as follows:
(MIT-mitigated; MIN-minimum; P-presumptive; MAX-maximum; AGG-aggravated) DANGEROUS OFFENSESDangerous offenses also have different sentencing guidelines based on the number of previous convictions. Below, we’ll provide two charts. The first is for dangerous offenses with historical priors. A historical prior is any class 3 felony committed within 10 years of the date of the current dangerous offense. This chart is broken down into First Offense, One Historical Prior, and Two Historical Priors. The second chart is for repetitive dangerous offenses. It includes sentences for the Second Dangerous Offense and Third and Subsequent Dangerous Offenses. Here are the Arizona felony sentencing charts for dangerous offenses with historical priors and dangerous repetitive offenses:
(MIN-minimum; P-presumptive; MAX-maximum)
(MIN-minimum; MAX-maximum; INCREASED MAX-increased maximum) DANGEROUS OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDRENArizona punishes crimes against children much more severely than it does other felonies. They provide a completely separate guideline for the sentencing of these felonies. Dangerous offenses against children include, but are not limited to, the following:
The next chart represents the guidelines for dangerous offenses against children, including First Offense, One Historical Prior, and Two Historical Priors. You’ll notice that subsections A and B are not provided in the chart. Subsection A carries a sentence of life in prison. Subsection B carries the possibility of a life sentence with a minimum of 13 years, presumptive 20 years, and a maximum of 27 years. These subsections might include crimes such as sexual assault or attempted murder of a minor under the age of 12. You’ll also notice that once the defendant reaches two historical prior convictions, they may only fall into subsections C and D. The presumptive sentence is life in prison, with no minimum or maximum provided. Here is the Arizona felony sentencing chart for dangerous offenses against children:
(MIN-minimum; P-presumptive; MAX-maximum) Contact Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney Belén TodayIf you have been charged with a felony and seek representation, or if you simply have questions regarding the Arizona felony sentencing chart, contact Belén Olmedo Guerra today. Belén offers aggressive defense for those accused of even the most serious felonies. For a professional and dedicated attorney in the Phoenix, AZ area, you need Belén Law Firm. Call 602-715-0908 or visit our website to schedule your free consultation. The post Arizona Felony Sentencing Chart appeared first on Belen Law Firm - Criminal Defense Attorney Phoenix. Via https://www.belenlawfirm.com/blog/criminal-defense-attorney/arizona-felony-sentencing-chart/ Via https://belenlawfirm.weebly.com/blog/arizona-felony-sentencing-chart
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