What Are Dangerous Criminal Offenses in Arizona?

December 29, 2020 Posted in Felonies

Dangerous criminal offenses in Arizona entail crimes with a violent act as an objective. Each of these offenses is punishable by varying jail times, depending on their details. If you are charged with a dangerous offense, you face mandatory prison time and need skilled lawyers to negotiate the possible charges.

The following are five dangerous criminal offenses in Arizona.

1. Murder

– First-degree murder
First-degree murder is the most serious offense in Arizona. The crime can be committed in two ways:

a. If the defendant plans and deliberately causes the victims death
b. When the defendant causes death during the commission of other dangerous felonies. In this case, it doesn’t matter whether or not the accused intended to cause death.

– Second-degree murder
Knowing that one’s actions will potentially cause death by creating a dangerous risk can result in second-degree murder.

Both first and second-degree murder are class 1 felony and are punishable by several years in prison when convicted.

2. Armed robbery

Armed robbery in Arizona entails an aggravated form of theft where the offender intentionally threatens another person with a deadly weapon. In Arizona, armed robbery is a very dangerous offense. A defendant of this charge should consider contacting a competent criminal attorney for representation.

3. Kidnapping

Arizona is the state with the highest kidnapping cases in the united states. Kidnapping here doesn’t only entail abducting someone and keeping them captive. A defendant commits kidnapping if they purposefully restrain a victim with intent to:

• Hold them unwillingly for servitude
• Inflict fear, physical injury, rape, or death to the victim
• Hold the person as a shield or for ransom
• Seize control of a moving vehicle, ship, or airplane

Kidnapping is a class 2 felony except when a captor voluntarily releases a victim, safely and without physical injury. A defendant will need a skilled Arizona lawyer to help negotiate their charges and possibly reduce their potential jail time.

4. Manslaughter

Manslaughter is committed when there was a significant risk of death, but the offender disregarded that threat, recklessly causing another’s death. For instance, a man killing his spouse after walking in on them cheating. Or recklessly causing an unborn child to die by physically harming the mother.

Manslaughter is a class 3 felony in Arizona.

5. Aggravated assault

In Arizona, aggravated assault is a dangerous offense that can comprise several elements, including possession of a deadly weapon. A person can be charged with aggravated assault if they:

• Enter another’s space to cause physical injury
• Use assault another person with a deadly weapon
• Cause serious physical harm to another
• If a person assaults a victim that is bound, or their capacity to resist is significantly impaired.

Aggravated assault is a class 3 felony in Arizona.

Conclusion
You undoubtedly face serious consequences when charged with a dangerous offense in Arizona. If you are in Arizona and in need of legal assistance, please contact Gary L. Rohlwing. He is experienced in the practice of criminal defense, has handled thousands of cases, is skilled, and will help negotiate your dangerous offense charges.