Arizona criminal charge
Child sex trafficking in Arizona
Current through 2026 Arizona legislative session
Child sex trafficking is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-3212. 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. § 13-3212.
What is the penalty for child sex trafficking in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 10 years (Child sex trafficking — minor under 15 (subsection A conduct) — The child sex trafficking offense under subsection A is committed and the minor involved is under fifteen years of age.; 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 (Child sex trafficking — minor under 15 (subsection A conduct) — The child sex trafficking offense under subsection A is committed and the minor involved is under fifteen years of age.; 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 | 4 years to 10 years (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor under 15 (or facilitating same) — An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with, or facilitates prostitution of, a minor under fifteen years of age under subsection B paragraph 1.; 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 (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor under 15 (or facilitating same) — An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with, or facilitates prostitution of, a minor under fifteen years of age under subsection B paragraph 1.; 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 | 4 years to 10 years (Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17 (subsection A conduct), first/subsequent offense — The child sex trafficking offense under subsection A involves a minor who is fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old, unless the enhanced natural life provision of subsection H applies.; 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 (Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17 (subsection A conduct), first/subsequent offense — The child sex trafficking offense under subsection A involves a minor who is fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old, unless the enhanced natural life provision of subsection H applies.; 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 | 4 years to 10 years (Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17, prior conviction for same offense (natural life) — The person has a previous conviction for child sex trafficking involving a minor aged fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen, resulting in a natural life sentence upon a new conviction under subsection A involving such a minor.; 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 (Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17, prior conviction for same offense (natural life) — The person has a previous conviction for child sex trafficking involving a minor aged fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen, resulting in a natural life sentence upon a new conviction under subsection A involving such a minor.; 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 | 4 years to 10 years (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (knowing or should have known), or facilitating same — An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with, or facilitates prostitution of, a minor known or reasonably should be known to be fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old under subsection B paragraph 2.; 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 (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (knowing or should have known), or facilitating same — An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with, or facilitates prostitution of, a minor known or reasonably should be known to be fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old under subsection B paragraph 2.; 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 | 9 months to 24 months (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (no facilitation element) — An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with a minor who is fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old under subsection B paragraph 3, absent a prior qualifying conviction.; 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 (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (no facilitation element) — An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with a minor who is fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old under subsection B paragraph 3, absent a prior qualifying conviction.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 10 years (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17, prior conviction — The person has a previous conviction for child sex trafficking or attempted child sex trafficking and again violates subsection B paragraph 3 by engaging in prostitution with a minor aged fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen.; 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 (Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17, prior conviction — The person has a previous conviction for child sex trafficking or attempted child sex trafficking and again violates subsection B paragraph 3 by engaging in prostitution with a minor aged fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); drug and other offenses may set higher statute-specific amounts) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
Applies to first felony offense, non-dangerous; presumptive term 5 years.
How is child sex trafficking classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child sex trafficking — minor under 15 (subsection A conduct) | Class 2 Felony | The child sex trafficking offense under subsection A is committed and the minor involved is under fifteen years of age. | A.R.S. § 13-3212E |
| Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor under 15 (or facilitating same) | Class 2 Felony | An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with, or facilitates prostitution of, a minor under fifteen years of age under subsection B paragraph 1. | A.R.S. § 13-3212F |
| Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17 (subsection A conduct), first/subsequent offense | Class 2 Felony | The child sex trafficking offense under subsection A involves a minor who is fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old, unless the enhanced natural life provision of subsection H applies. | A.R.S. § 13-3212G |
| Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17, prior conviction for same offense (natural life) | Class 2 Felony | The person has a previous conviction for child sex trafficking involving a minor aged fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen, resulting in a natural life sentence upon a new conviction under subsection A involving such a minor. | A.R.S. § 13-3212H |
| Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (knowing or should have known), or facilitating same | Class 2 Felony | An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with, or facilitates prostitution of, a minor known or reasonably should be known to be fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old under subsection B paragraph 2. | A.R.S. § 13-3212I |
| Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (no facilitation element) | Class 5 Felony | An adult at least eighteen years old engages in prostitution with a minor who is fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old under subsection B paragraph 3, absent a prior qualifying conviction. | A.R.S. § 13-3212J |
| Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17, prior conviction | Class 2 Felony | The person has a previous conviction for child sex trafficking or attempted child sex trafficking and again violates subsection B paragraph 3 by engaging in prostitution with a minor aged fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen. | A.R.S. § 13-3212K |
Common questions about child sex trafficking in Arizona
Is child sex trafficking a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: child sex trafficking ranges from a Class 5 Felony to a Class 2 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-3212.
Child sex trafficking — minor under 15 (subsection A conduct): Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3212E) · Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor under 15 (or facilitating same): Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3212F) · Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17 (subsection A conduct), first/subsequent offense: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3212G) · Child sex trafficking — minor 15-17, prior conviction for same offense (natural life): Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3212H) · Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (knowing or should have known), or facilitating same: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3212I) · Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17 (no facilitation element): Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3212J) · Child sex trafficking — engaging in prostitution with minor 15-17, prior conviction: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3212K)
What are the penalties for child sex trafficking in Arizona?
Penalties for child sex trafficking in Arizona depend on how it is classified — from a Class 5 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 child sex trafficking?
Child sex trafficking is governed by A.R.S. § 13-3212 (Child sex trafficking; classification; increased punishment; definition).
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.