Arizona criminal charge
Public sexual indecency in Arizona
Public sexual indecency is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-1403. 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. § 13-1403.
What is the penalty for public sexual indecency in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Public sexual indecency — Applies when a person commits public sexual indecency as defined in subsection A.; 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 (Public sexual indecency — Applies when a person commits public sexual indecency as defined in subsection A.; 13-802(A)) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Public sexual indecency to a minor — Applies when a person commits public sexual indecency to a minor under fifteen years of age as defined in subsection B.; 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 (Public sexual indecency to a minor — Applies when a person commits public sexual indecency to a minor under fifteen years of age as defined in subsection B.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
Applies to current.
How is public sexual indecency classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public sexual indecency | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when a person commits public sexual indecency as defined in subsection A. | A.R.S. § 13-1403C |
| Public sexual indecency to a minor | Class 5 Felony | Applies when a person commits public sexual indecency to a minor under fifteen years of age as defined in subsection B. | A.R.S. § 13-1403C |
Common questions about public sexual indecency in Arizona
Is public sexual indecency a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: public sexual indecency ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 5 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1403.
Public sexual indecency: Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1403C) · Public sexual indecency to a minor: Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1403C)
What are the penalties for public sexual indecency in Arizona?
Which Arizona statute covers public sexual indecency?
Public sexual indecency is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1403 (Public sexual indecency; public sexual indecency to a minor; 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.