Arizona statute

A.R.S. § 13-1213 — Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft; classification; definitions

Current through 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Part of Chapter 12: Assault and Related Offenses, Arizona Revised Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft

Full text of A.R.S. § 13-1213

Statutory text current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text published by the Arizona Legislature (Arizona Legislative Council compilation, azleg.gov); it is not the official statutes of the State of Arizona.

A.R.S. § 13-1213Primary source, current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

A. A person commits aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer at another person and the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is a peace officer. B. A person commits aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer at an aircraft and the person knows or reasonably should know that the aircraft is occupied. C. Intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer is a class 5 felony. Recklessly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer is a class 1 misdemeanor. D. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 2 felony if the act causes the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 3 felony if the act renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft. Intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 6 felony. Recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 1 misdemeanor. E. For the purposes of this section: 1. "Aircraft" means any vehicle that is used for flight in the air by buoyancy or by the dynamic action of air on the vehicle's surfaces, including airplanes, gliders and helicopters. 2. "Laser pointer" means any device that emits an intense beam of light amplified by stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?

It depends on the circumstances: aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 2 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1213.

Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — intentional or knowing: Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213C) · Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer — reckless: Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1213C) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — causes crash or emergency landing: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213D) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — renders pilot unable to safely operate: Class 3 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213D) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — intentional or knowing, no crash/impairment: Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1213D) · Aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft — reckless, no crash/impairment: Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1213D)

Which Arizona statute covers aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft?

Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1213 (Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft; classification; definitions).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.