Aggravated Felony Assault Laws in Phoenix, AZ

“The court has discretion over what your sentence will be within a wide range for felony assaults.  So if your felony assault charges cannot be dismissed, the next step for your criminal defense attorney present mitigating factors in an effort to get your sentencing reduced.”

Arizona Aggravated Assault Charges – Phoenix AZ

Aggravated Assault charges are also known as Felony Assault charges.  Simple or Misdemeanor charges can also be elevated to assault charges in Phoenix, when certain aggravating factors exist.  Aggravated assault charges are taken very seriously in Arizona because they are crimes that harm or intent to harm another person or victim.  All Felony Assault charges carry prison sentencing if convicted in Arizona.

Arizona Aggravated Assault: A.R.S. § 13-1204 (A) classification

A person may be charged with aggravated assault under A.R.S. § 13-1204 (A) if the person knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally provoke, injure, insult, cause physical injury or harm to another person. Specifically a person may be guilty of Felony Assault or Aggravated Assault if they:    

1. Causes serious physical injury to another;
2. Use a deadly weapon or dangerous object to use as a weapon;
3. Commit assault by means of any force that causes temporary but substantial disfigurement;, temporary but substantial loss; impairment of any bodily organ or body part; or fractures any body part;
4. Commit assault while a victim is bound; physically restrained; or while the victim’s capacity to resist the assault is substantially impaired;
5. Commit assault after entering the private residence of another with the intent to commit e assault;
6. Are 18 years of age or older, and they commit assault on a child who is under the age of 15.
7. Commits a “simple” or Misdemeanor assault while violating a valid order of protection or restraining orders;
8. Gain Control or attempts to gain control of a police officer’s firearm or other weapon;
9. Commit any assault against a police officer, peace officers, constables, firefighter, emergency treatment paramedic, teacher, school employee, or licensed health care professionals engaging in their occupational duties,  public defenders or criminal prosecutors;

Aggravated Assault Penalties

Below are Felony Assaults/Aggravated Assault penalties for first-time offense convictions:

• Class 6 Aggravated Assault (least severe): Prison terms 18 months to 3 years.

  Presumptive term of imprisonment is 27 months.

• Class 5 Aggravated Assault: Prison terms 2 to 4 years;

  Presumptive term of imprisonment is 3 years.

• Class 4 Aggravated Assault:  Prison term 4 to 8 years;

  Presumptive term of imprisonment is 6 years.

•  Class 3 Aggravated Assault: Prison term up to 15 years;

  Presumptive term of imprisonment is 7.5 years.

• Class 2 Aggravated Assault: Prison Term 7 to 21 years;

  Presumptive term of imprisonment is 10.5 years.

Additionally, a conviction for Aggravated/Felony assault in Phoenix may result in court offered fines up to  $150,000; victim restitutions; additional fees and assessments, felony criminal record, and other penalties the court deems necessary.