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Arizona criminal charge

Burglary in the first degree in Arizona

Current through 2026 Arizona legislative session

Burglary in the first degree is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-1508. 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. § 13-1508.

What is the penalty for burglary in the first degree in Arizona?

Penalties for Burglary in the first degree
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison2.5 years to 7 years (Burglary in the first degree of a nonresidential structure or fenced commercial/residential yard — The burglary in the first degree, as defined in subsection A, is committed in or of a nonresidential structure or a fenced commercial or residential yard.; 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)presumptiveA.R.S. § 13-702
Fineup to $150,000 (Burglary in the first degree of a nonresidential structure or fenced commercial/residential yard — The burglary in the first degree, as defined in subsection A, is committed in or of a nonresidential structure or a fenced commercial or residential yard.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed)discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-702
Jail / prison4 years to 10 years (Burglary in the first degree of a residential structure — The burglary in the first degree, as defined in subsection A, is committed in a residential structure.; 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)presumptiveA.R.S. § 13-702
Fineup to $150,000 (Burglary in the first degree of a residential structure — The burglary in the first degree, as defined in subsection A, is committed in a residential structure.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); drug and other offenses may set higher statute-specific amounts)discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-702

Applies to first felony offense, non-dangerous; presumptive term 3.5 years.

How is burglary in the first degree classified in Arizona?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Burglary in the first degree
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Burglary in the first degree of a nonresidential structure or fenced commercial/residential yardClass 3 FelonyThe burglary in the first degree, as defined in subsection A, is committed in or of a nonresidential structure or a fenced commercial or residential yard.A.R.S. § 13-1508B
Burglary in the first degree of a residential structureClass 2 FelonyThe burglary in the first degree, as defined in subsection A, is committed in a residential structure.A.R.S. § 13-1508B

Common questions about burglary in the first degree in Arizona

Is burglary in the first degree a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?

It depends on the circumstances: burglary in the first degree ranges from a Class 3 Felony to a Class 2 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1508.

Burglary in the first degree of a nonresidential structure or fenced commercial/residential yard: Class 3 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1508B) · Burglary in the first degree of a residential structure: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1508B)

What are the penalties for burglary in the first degree in Arizona?

Penalties for burglary in the first degree in Arizona depend on how it is classified — from a Class 3 Felony up to a Class 2 Felony — with the ranges set by A.R.S. § 13-702; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Arizona statute covers burglary in the first degree?

Burglary in the first degree is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1508 (Burglary in the first degree; classification).

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.