Arizona criminal charge
Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft in Arizona
Current through 2026 Arizona legislative session
Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-1213. Its classification is not fixed: Arizona assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by A.R.S. § 13-1213.
What is the penalty for aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — intentional or knowing — The person intentionally or knowingly directs a laser pointer beam at a person known or reasonably should be known to be a peace officer.; presumptive 1.5 years; mitigated 6 months / aggravated 2.5 years on required findings (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — intentional or knowing — The person intentionally or knowingly directs a laser pointer beam at a person known or reasonably should be known to be a peace officer.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — reckless — The person recklessly directs a laser pointer beam at a person known or reasonably should be known to be a peace officer.; definite term served outside state prison (13-707(A)(1)); prior same offense within 2 years elevates to the next higher class (13-707(B))) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — reckless — The person recklessly directs a laser pointer beam at a person known or reasonably should be known to be a peace officer.; 13-802(A)) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 10 years (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — causes crash or emergency landing — The act of aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft, done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, causes the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing.; presumptive 5 years; mitigated 3 / aggravated 12.5 years available only on at least two mitigating/aggravating circumstances (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — causes crash or emergency landing — The act of aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft, done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, causes the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); drug and other offenses may set higher statute-specific amounts) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 2.5 years to 7 years (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — renders pilot unable to safely operate — The act of aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft, done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft.; presumptive 3.5 years; mitigated 2 / aggravated 8.75 years on required findings (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — renders pilot unable to safely operate — The act of aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft, done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 18 months (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — intentional or knowing, no crash/impairment — The person intentionally or knowingly aims a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft without causing a crash, emergency landing, or pilot impairment.; presumptive 1 year; mitigated .33 years / aggravated 2 years on required findings (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges; a class 6 felony may be designated a class 1 misdemeanor under 13-604) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — intentional or knowing, no crash/impairment — The person intentionally or knowingly aims a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft without causing a crash, emergency landing, or pilot impairment.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — reckless, no crash/impairment — The person recklessly aims a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft without causing a crash, emergency landing, or pilot impairment.; definite term served outside state prison (13-707(A)(1)); prior same offense within 2 years elevates to the next higher class (13-707(B))) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — reckless, no crash/impairment — The person recklessly aims a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft without causing a crash, emergency landing, or pilot impairment.; 13-802(A)) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
Applies to first felony offense, non-dangerous; presumptive term 1.5 years.
How is aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — intentional or knowing | Class 5 Felony | The person intentionally or knowingly directs a laser pointer beam at a person known or reasonably should be known to be a peace officer. | A.R.S. § 13-1213C |
| Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — reckless | Class 1 Misdemeanor | The person recklessly directs a laser pointer beam at a person known or reasonably should be known to be a peace officer. | A.R.S. § 13-1213C |
| Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — causes crash or emergency landing | Class 2 Felony | The act of aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft, done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, causes the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing. | A.R.S. § 13-1213D |
| Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — renders pilot unable to safely operate | Class 3 Felony | The act of aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft, done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft. | A.R.S. § 13-1213D |
| Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — intentional or knowing, no crash/impairment | Class 6 Felony | The person intentionally or knowingly aims a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft without causing a crash, emergency landing, or pilot impairment. | A.R.S. § 13-1213D |
| Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — reckless, no crash/impairment | Class 1 Misdemeanor | The person recklessly aims a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft without causing a crash, emergency landing, or pilot impairment. | A.R.S. § 13-1213D |
Common questions about aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft in Arizona
Is aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 2 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1213.
Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — intentional or knowing: Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213C) · Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — reckless: Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1213C) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — causes crash or emergency landing: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213D) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — renders pilot unable to safely operate: Class 3 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213D) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — intentional or knowing, no crash/impairment: Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213D) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — reckless, no crash/impairment: Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1213D)
What are the penalties for aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft in Arizona?
Which Arizona statute covers aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft?
Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1213 (Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft; classification; definitions).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.