Criminal Defense Lawyers

ARIZONA FELONY CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

Arizona classifies all of its criminal charges into two broad types: felonies and misdemeanors. Of the two, felonies are the more serious charges and are reserved for serious crimes, so they incur similarly harsh penalties. Being charged with a felony crime is very serious and, if a conviction is reached, could result in long-lasting repercussions for your life even years in the future.
To help you better understand the differences between different criminal charges, this page will break down felony crimes and penalties in Arizona.

Arizona Felony Crimes

Arizona’s felony crime convictions carry possible sentences of up to a year or more in state prison, with the exact time spent in prison depending on the circumstances of the conviction, past criminal history, and more.
Arizona also classifies its felonies into six distinct groups. Class 1 felonies are the most severe and carry the harshest potential penalties and Class 6 felonies are the least serious, but are still more serious than any misdemeanor charge.

Felony Sentencing in Arizona

Arizona judges and juries use determinate sentencing procedures for felony convictions. In essence, this means that all felony sentences are for fixed or definite amounts of time within a set range of possible limits. A judge typically starts with a presumptive sentence and decides on a sentence within the prescribed range when ruling.

Various aggravating circumstances or mitigating circumstances can increase or decrease the amount of time spent in prison or the cost of a fine, including:

• Whether you had an accomplice during your crime
• Whether your felony charges involve the use of a weapon
• Whether you have a past criminal history
• And more

Arizona defense attorneys can help you navigate the complex legal system and possibly negotiate your charges or sentencing down to lower levels.

Arizona Felonies and Penalties

Penalties for felony crimes are separated by class. Here some example crimes and their associated possible penalties if you are convicted.

Class 1 Felonies
In Arizona, the only Class 1 felony crimes are first and second-degree murder. For first-degree murder, penalties include life in prison or death. Second-degree murder charges may carry penalties including between 10 and 25 years in prison.

Class 2 Felonies
Most Class 2 felonies in Arizona carry potential penalties such as between four and 10 years in prison and a presumptive sentence of five years in prison. These crimes include activities like armed robbery, manslaughter, sexual assault, and manufacturing methamphetamine.
Note that sexual assault crimes carry their own specific sentencing range, such as between five years and three months to 14 years in prison for a first offense.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

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Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Class 3 Felonies
Class 3 felonies in Arizona carry standard sentencing ranges of between 2 ½ years and seven years in prison. These crimes include burglary, auto theft, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Class 4 Felonies
Arizona Class 4 felonies are usually punishable by prison sentences of between 1 ½ to 3 years. Such crimes include aggravated assault involving regulation, theft of property worth between $3000 and $4000, and more.

Class 5 Felonies
A Class 5 felony conviction in Arizona may result in penalties including prison time of between 1 ½ years and 2 ½ years. Class 5 felonies include credit card theft, stalking, and aggravated domestic violence.

Class 6 Felonies (or Wobblers)
So-called wobbler crimes can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors. Arizona criminal defense attorneys can work to ensure your charges are “wobbled down” to the misdemeanor level or help you avoid a conviction entirely.
Class 6 felony penalties include prison time for between six and 18 months. These crimes include theft of property worth between $1000 in $2000, theft of any gun, witness tampering, possession of drug paraphernalia, and more.
Ultimately, it’s vital that you contact Arizona criminal defense attorneys ASAP if you are charged with a felony crime. With their assistance, you’ll stand the best chance of escaping conviction or lowering your penalties as much as possible.