Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences under Arizona Laws

Felonies are the most serious type of criminal offense and often involve serious bodily harm to an individual. Felony crimes also include fraud schemes and white collar crimes and crimes involving use of a deadly weapon. In some cases, a misdemeanor crime may be elevated to a felony for second-time offenders. Felony crimes carry harsher penalties and fines.

In the state of Arizona, felonies are classified as crimes punishable by a minimum of one year or more in state prison. Felonies are classified as Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 under Arizona laws. Penalties and sentences for each class of felony crime are given below:

Class 1 Felonies

A Class 1 felony is the most serious crime in the state of Arizona. First and second degree murder fall under Class 1 felony. Punishments include death or life imprisonment in case of first degree murder, or 16 years to life imprisonment for second degree murder.

Class 2 Felonies

Class 2 felonies in Arizona have a presumptive term of 5 years. The aggravated term is 12.5 years. Child enticement and child pornography are considered class 2 felony crimes.

Class 3 Felonies

Class 3 felonies in Arizona have a presumptive term of 3.5 years. The aggravated term is 8 years and 9 months. Anyone found in possession of more than 4 pounds of marijuana is charged with a class 3 felony in Arizona. Cultivating marijuana in Arizona also falls under this category of crime.

Class 4 Felonies

Class 4 felonies in Arizona have a presumptive term of 2.5 years. The aggravated term is 3 years and 9 months. Petty thefts and theft of property between $3,000 and $4,000 of worth fall under class 4 felonies.

Class 5 Felonies

Any other crime not indicated in a particular class of felony crimes falls under class 5 felony crimes. A class 5 felony charge carries a presumptive term of 2 years. The aggravated term is 2.5 years in prison. Prostitution, pimping and pandering fall under this category of crime.

Class 6 Felonies

The least serious felonies are considered Class 6 felony crimes under Arizona law. Class 6 felony crimes carry a presumptive term of 1 year in prison whereas the aggravated term is 2 years. In some cases, the judge may designate the class 6 felony conviction as a class 1 misdemeanor conviction, so the defendant is sentenced accordingly.

In more serious felony cases, the judge may sentence a person convicted of a felony to pay a fine of up to $150,000. Defendants convicted of drug crimes in Arizona may even have to pay additional fines.

The Arizona Criminal Statute of Limitations define how soon the state must begin criminal prosecution against the defendant. Most serious felony cases do not have a statute of limitations, and the state can begin prosecution at any time. Whether you are facing a Class 1 felony crime or a Class 6 felony crime in Arizona, it is important that you get in touch with an Arizona criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will help you obtain the best possible outcome and may even have your case reduced to a misdemeanor conviction instead of a felony conviction.

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Why Attorney Brian Douglas Sloan?
Phoenix DUI Lawyer

Why Attorney Brian Douglas Sloan?

18+

18+ Years SOLELY Focused on DUI Defense

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4,100+ DUIs Successfully Defended

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“I am one of only a handful of Phoenix DUI Lawyers that focuses solely on DUI Defense representation.”

I have spent my entire career focused on DUI Defense representation, having personally defended more than 4,100+ DUI clients in the past 18+ years.

If you’re looking for a divorce attorney, tax attorney, or civil attorney, then I can comfortably say: "I’m not the one for you".

Coming up with traditional, as well as outside-the-box motions and defenses for my clients, often with good results, is the hallmark of my practice.

Lawyers that say they are "aggressive", or "will fight for you", are a dime a dozen. They use these phrases because that is what they think people want to hear. The truth of the matter is, being "aggressive" rarely gets the client anywhere in these court systems. Being "aggressive" isn’t the same as being good, and is often used to put on a show for a client to hide the fact that they aren’t doing anything meaningful for the client.

The same is true for the lawyers that claim to do DUI Defense... and Criminal Cases..., and Accident cases..., and Divorces. A Jack-of-all-Trades is a master of none. By handling all different sorts of cases, they take away from their ability to truly focus on DUIs, and keep up to date on the latest changes in DUI Defense Representation.

What I offer is intelligent, quality DUI Defense, at an exceptional price.

I am one of only a handful of Arizona DUI Lawyers that focuses solely on DUI Defense representation.

I have not only taught other lawyers how to do DUI Defense Representation at statewide seminars, but I produce DUI Legal Guides used by defense lawyers across Arizona.

I am one of the most award-winning DUI Defense Lawyers in Arizona; have been recognized nationally, including in a 2022 issue of USA Today; and there are only a few lawyers in Arizona who have personally defended more DUI cases than I have. I am also one of the most reasonably-priced DUI Lawyers, as I pride myself on charging a Flat Rate only for the legal services you need, and not for the legal services you don’t.

I am also the lawyer who people call once they realize that their original lawyer screwed something up, gave them false hope or false promises, or simply just took their money and didn’t do much on the case. You would be surprised at how often this happens.

Save yourself the trouble of hiring the wrong lawyer, and hire the right DUI Defense Lawyer from the start.

You can reach me on my personal cell phone: 480-720-7839.

Let me know if you have any questions!


Brian Douglas Sloan

DUI Attorney

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