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Arizona criminal charge

Hazing in Arizona

Current through 2026 Arizona legislative session

Hazing is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-1215. 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. § 13-1215.

What is the penalty for hazing in Arizona?

Penalties for Hazing
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 6 months (Hazing (base offense) — Hazing that does not result in a person's death is a class 1 misdemeanor.; 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)))discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-707
Fineup to $2,500 (Hazing (base offense) — Hazing that does not result in a person's death is a class 1 misdemeanor.; 13-802(A))discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-707
Jail / prison18 months to 36 months (Hazing resulting in death — Hazing that results in a person's death is a class 4 felony.; presumptive 2.5 years; mitigated 1 year / aggravated 3.75 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 (Hazing resulting in death — Hazing that results in a person's death is a class 4 felony.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed)discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-702

Applies to current.

How is hazing classified in Arizona?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Hazing
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Hazing (base offense)Class 1 MisdemeanorHazing that does not result in a person's death is a class 1 misdemeanor.A.R.S. § 13-1215F
Hazing resulting in deathClass 4 FelonyHazing that results in a person's death is a class 4 felony.A.R.S. § 13-1215F

Common questions about hazing in Arizona

Is hazing a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?

It depends on the circumstances: hazing ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 4 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1215.

Hazing (base offense): Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1215F) · Hazing resulting in death: Class 4 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1215F)

What are the penalties for hazing in Arizona?

Penalties for hazing in Arizona depend on how it is classified — from a Class 1 Misdemeanor up to a Class 4 Felony — with the ranges set by A.R.S. § 13-707 and A.R.S. § 13-702; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Arizona statute covers hazing?

Hazing is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1215 (Hazing; 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.