Arizona criminal charge
Harassment in Arizona
Harassment is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-2921. 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. § 13-2921.
What is the penalty for harassment in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Harassment (general) — Harassment committed under subsection A, involving knowing and repeated acts or specified acts that harass another person.; 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 (Harassment (general) — Harassment committed under subsection A, involving knowing and repeated acts or specified acts that harass another person.; 13-802(A)) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Harassment against a public officer or employee — Harassment committed under subsection B by filing a nonconsensual, unauthorized lien against a public officer or employee with intent to harass.; 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 (Harassment against a public officer or employee — Harassment committed under subsection B by filing a nonconsensual, unauthorized lien against a public officer or employee with intent to harass.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
Applies to current.
How is harassment classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harassment (general) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Harassment committed under subsection A, involving knowing and repeated acts or specified acts that harass another person. | A.R.S. § 13-2921C |
| Harassment against a public officer or employee | Class 5 Felony | Harassment committed under subsection B by filing a nonconsensual, unauthorized lien against a public officer or employee with intent to harass. | A.R.S. § 13-2921C |
Common questions about harassment in Arizona
Is harassment a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: harassment ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 5 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-2921.
Harassment (general): Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-2921C) · Harassment against a public officer or employee: Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-2921C)
What are the penalties for harassment in Arizona?
Which Arizona statute covers harassment?
Harassment is governed by A.R.S. § 13-2921 (Harassment; classification; 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.