WHAT EACH CHARGE CARRIES
18 charges people actually meet, each with the section it comes from, what it requires the state to show, and the most it can carry. Arizona sorts a crime into a class 1 to 3 misdemeanor or a class 1 to 6 felony, with the petty offense below them. Each level here names its class, and a misdemeanor's longest term and largest fine.
18 charges
Theft
1 MISD to 2 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as stealing, larceny, took something, kept lost property
Knowingly controlling another's property with intent to deprive, among the other ways the section lists, such as obtaining property by a material misrepresentation or keeping lost property without reasonable efforts to find the owner.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenLess than $1,000 |
| 6 FELONYClass 6 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | When$1,000 or more but less than $2,000, or taken from the person, or a firearm, whatever its value |
| 5 FELONYClass 5 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | When$2,000 or more but less than $3,000 |
| 4 FELONYClass 4 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | When$3,000 or more but less than $4,000, or a vehicle engine or transmission |
| 3 FELONYClass 3 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | When$4,000 or more but less than $25,000 |
| 2 FELONYClass 2 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | When$25,000 or more |
Shoplifting
1 MISD to 5 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as retail theft, stealing from a store, price tag switching, concealment
Knowingly obtaining goods displayed for sale, with intent to deprive, by removing them without paying, switching a price tag, moving them into another container, concealment, or charging them to someone else.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenLess than $1,000 |
| 6 FELONYClass 6 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | When$1,000 or more but less than $2,000, or a firearm, whatever its value |
| 5 FELONYClass 5 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | When$2,000 or more, or during a continuing criminal episode |
A merchant with reasonable cause may detain a person on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time, for questioning or to summon an officer.
Assault
3 MISD to 1 MISD · up to Six months
Also searched as hit someone, fight, threatened to hit, touching to provoke
Causing physical injury to another, placing another in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury, or knowingly touching another with intent to injure, insult or provoke.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 3 MISDClass 3 misdemeanor | 30 days$500 fine | WhenPlacing another in reasonable apprehension of imminent injury, or touching to injure, insult or provoke |
| 2 MISDClass 2 misdemeanor | Four months$750 fine | WhenRecklessly causing any physical injury |
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenIntentionally or knowingly causing any physical injury |
Aggravated assault, which includes causing serious physical injury or using a deadly weapon, is a felony under its own section.
Disorderly conduct
1 MISD to 6 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as disturbing the peace, unreasonable noise, fighting, brandishing
Intending to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person, or knowing of doing so: fighting, unreasonable noise, abusive language likely to provoke retaliation, disrupting a lawful meeting, refusing to disperse near an emergency, or recklessly handling a deadly weapon.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenAny of the acts without a weapon |
| 6 FELONYClass 6 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenRecklessly handling, displaying or discharging a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument |
Resisting arrest
1 MISD to 6 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as resisting, pulled away from the officer, passive resistance
Intentionally preventing, or trying to prevent, a person reasonably known to be a peace officer acting under official authority from making an arrest.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenPassive resistance: a nonviolent act or failure to act meant to impede or delay the arrest |
| 6 FELONYClass 6 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenUsing or threatening physical force, or any other means creating a substantial risk of injury |
Unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle
5 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as fleeing, car chase, did not pull over, eluding
Wilfully fleeing or trying to elude a pursuing official law enforcement vehicle that is appropriately marked, or unmarked where the driver knew it was law enforcement.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 FELONYClass 5 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Refusing to state a true full name
2 MISD · up to Four months
Also searched as refusing to identify, stop and identify, would not give my name
Failing or refusing to state a true full name on a peace officer's request, after being lawfully detained on reasonable suspicion of a crime and advised that refusing is unlawful.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 2 MISDClass 2 misdemeanor | Four months$750 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
The duty is a name, not a document, and the person shall not be compelled to answer any other inquiry.
Harassment
1 MISD · up to Six months
Also searched as harassing, repeated contact, following after being told to stop, surveilling
Knowingly and repeatedly doing acts that would seriously alarm, annoy, humiliate or distress a reasonable person and in fact do, or knowingly contacting, following, surveilling or falsely reporting on someone in a harassing manner.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
The section does not apply to a lawful demonstration, assembly or picketing.
Stalking
5 FELONY to 3 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as following someone, GPS tracking, course of conduct
Intentionally or knowingly engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes the fear or distress the section names.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 FELONYClass 5 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenCausing emotional distress, or reasonable fear of property damage or physical injury |
| 3 FELONYClass 3 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenCausing reasonable fear of death |
A course of conduct includes surveilling a person with an electronic, digital or GPS device without authorization continuously for twelve hours or more, or on two or more occasions.
Criminal trespass
3 MISD to 5 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as trespassing, refused to leave, fenced yard, entered a house
Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully, graded by the kind of place.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 3 MISDClass 3 misdemeanor | 30 days$500 fine | WhenThird degree: real property, after a reasonable request to leave or notice prohibiting entry |
| 2 MISDClass 2 misdemeanor | Four months$750 fine | WhenSecond degree: a nonresidential structure or a fenced commercial yard |
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenFirst degree: a fenced residential yard, or a residential yard while looking into the home |
| 6 FELONYClass 6 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenFirst degree: a residential structure |
| 5 FELONYClass 5 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenFirst degree: a critical public service facility |
A request to leave made by an officer at the owner's request has the same effect as the owner's own.
Reckless driving
2 MISD to 1 MISD · up to Six months
Also searched as reckless disregard, bad driving
Driving a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 2 MISDClass 2 misdemeanor | Four months$750 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenWithin 24 months of a prior reckless driving, DUI, racing or vehicular homicide conviction |
The judge may suspend the driving privilege for not more than 90 days; a repeat carries at least 20 days in jail and a suspension of one year.
Driving on a suspended or revoked license
1 MISD · up to Six months
Also searched as driving on a suspended license, revoked license, DWS
Operating a motor vehicle on a public highway while the privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, canceled or refused, or while disqualified.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Open container
2 MISD · up to Four months
Also searched as open bottle, drinking in the car, open beer
Consuming spirituous liquor, or possessing an open container of it, while operating or within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle on a public highway or its right-of-way.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 2 MISDClass 2 misdemeanor | Four months$750 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
The trunk, a locked glove compartment, and the area behind the last upright seat of a vehicle with no trunk are outside the passenger compartment.
Leaving the scene of an accident
1 MISD to 2 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as hit and run, drove off after a crash, leaving the scene
Failing to stop at an accident that injures or kills a person or damages a vehicle driven or attended by a person, and stay until giving a name, address and registration, showing the license on request, and rendering reasonable assistance.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenDamage only, to a vehicle driven or attended by a person, or striking an unattended vehicle without notice |
| 5 FELONYClass 5 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenAny other injury |
| 3 FELONYClass 3 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenDeath or serious physical injury |
| 2 FELONYClass 2 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenDeath or serious physical injury, where the driver caused the accident |
Misconduct involving weapons
3 MISD to 6 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as concealed carry, did not tell the officer about the gun, weapon under 21
One of the acts the section lists, among them failing to accurately answer an officer's question whether one is carrying a concealed deadly weapon, and carrying one concealed under twenty-one.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 3 MISDClass 3 misdemeanor | 30 days$500 fine | WhenUnder twenty-one, carrying a concealed deadly weapon outside the places the section allows |
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenCarrying a concealed deadly weapon and failing to accurately answer an officer who asks |
| 6 FELONYClass 6 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenCarrying one concealed in furtherance of a serious offense, a violent crime or any other felony |
Arizona does not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon; the section lists when carrying one is an offense.
Interception of a communication
5 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as wiretapping, secret recording, recording a call
Intentionally intercepting a wire or electronic communication one is not a party to without the consent of a sender or receiver, or a conversation one is not present at without a party's consent.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 FELONYClass 5 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
An interception made with the consent of a party, or of a person present, is exempt.
Marijuana over the adult limit
PETTY to 6 FELONY · up to Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Also searched as too much weed, marijuana possession, smoking in public, under 21 marijuana
Possessing more marijuana than an adult at least twenty-one may, smoking it in a public place, or possessing it under 21.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| PETTYPetty offense | No jail$300 fine | WhenMore than one ounce but not more than two and one-half ounces, or smoking in a public place or open space |
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenUnder 21, a third or later violation |
| 6 FELONYClass 6 felony | Set by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here fine | WhenMore than the petty offense amount, not for sale, under two pounds |
One ounce or less, with not more than five grams of concentrate, is lawful at twenty-one or older. Under 21, a first violation is a civil penalty of not more than $100.
Underage possession or consumption
1 MISD · up to Six months
Also searched as underage drinking, MIP, minor in possession
Under the legal drinking age, buying, receiving, possessing or consuming spirituous liquor.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanor | Six months$2,500 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
On a first conviction a court may also suspend the driving privilege of a person under eighteen for up to 180 days.
Every class on this page, for reference
The misdemeanor ranges come from the misdemeanor sentencing and fine sections. A conviction for the same misdemeanor within two years is sentenced one class higher. Felony ranges are set by a section this guide does not carry.
- PETTYPetty offenseNo jail$300
- 3 MISDClass 3 misdemeanor30 days$500
- 2 MISDClass 2 misdemeanorFour months$750
- 1 MISDClass 1 misdemeanorSix months$2,500
- 6 FELONYClass 6 felonySet by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
- 5 FELONYClass 5 felonySet by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
- 4 FELONYClass 4 felonySet by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
- 3 FELONYClass 3 felonySet by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
- 2 FELONYClass 2 felonySet by the felony sentencing section, not carried hereSet by the felony sentencing section, not carried here
Words on a charging document
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
16 words
- AssaultIntentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing physical injury, intentionally placing someone in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury, or knowingly touching someone with intent to injure, insult or provoke.
- Criminal trespassKnowingly entering or remaining unlawfully on real property after a reasonable request to leave, or reasonable notice prohibiting entry: trespass in the third degree, a class 3 misdemeanor.
- Disorderly conductIntent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person, or knowledge of doing so, together with an act such as fighting, unreasonable noise, or abusive language likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation.
- FleeingA driver wilfully fleeing or trying to elude a pursuing official law enforcement vehicle that is appropriately marked, or unmarked where the driver knew it was law enforcement. A class 5 felony.
- HarassmentConduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to be seriously alarmed, annoyed, humiliated or mentally distressed, and does, done knowingly and repeatedly. A class 1 misdemeanor.
- Leaving the sceneFailing to stop at an accident that injures or kills a person, or damages a vehicle driven or attended by a person, and stay until giving name, address and registration number, showing the license on request, and rendering reasonable assistance.
- Misdemeanor classHow Arizona grades misdemeanors: class 1 carries up to six months and $2,500, class 2 up to four months and $750, class 3 up to 30 days and $500.
- Passive resistanceA nonviolent physical act or failure to act intended to impede, hinder or delay an arrest. Resisting arrest by passive resistance is a class 1 misdemeanor.
- Petty offenseThe grade below a misdemeanor, with no jail listed and a fine up to $300.
- Reckless drivingDriving a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property. A class 2 misdemeanor, and the judge may order the driving privilege suspended for not more than 90 days.
- SealingClosing all case records of an offense on petition, once every term of the sentence is complete and the waiting period for the class has run: five years for a class 4, 5 or 6 felony, three years for a class 1 misdemeanor.
- Set asideAn order setting aside a judgment of guilt, which a person who completes probation or sentence and is discharged may apply to the sentencing court for, with no filing fee.
- ShopliftingKnowingly obtaining goods displayed for sale, with intent to deprive, by removing them without paying, switching a price tag, moving them into another container, or concealment.
- StalkingA course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes emotional distress or reasonable fear of injury, a class 5 felony, or reasonable fear of death, a class 3 felony.
- TheftMore than taking: knowingly controlling another's property with intent to deprive, misusing entrusted property, obtaining property or services by a material misrepresentation, or keeping lost property without reasonable efforts to find the owner. Less than $1,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor.
- Warrantless arrestAn arrest without a warrant, on probable cause to believe a felony was committed and the person committed it, or a misdemeanor in the officer's presence, among the grounds the section lists.
About this guide — maximums, not predictions. What a specific case carries turns on priors, the facts, and the court, and only a licensed Arizona attorney can tell you what yours is. Current as of September 2026.