Arizona statute

A.R.S. § 13-1303 — Unlawful imprisonment; classification; definition

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

Part of Chapter 13: Kidnapping and Related Offenses, Arizona Revised Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Unlawful imprisonment

Full text of A.R.S. § 13-1303

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. § 13-1303Primary source, current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

A. A person commits unlawful imprisonment by knowingly restraining another person. B. In any prosecution for unlawful imprisonment, it is a defense that: 1. The restraint was accomplished by a peace officer or detention officer acting in good faith in the lawful performance of his duty; or 2. The defendant is a relative of the person restrained and the defendant's sole intent is to assume lawful custody of that person and the restraint was accomplished without physical injury. C. Unlawful imprisonment is a class 6 felony unless the victim is released voluntarily by the defendant without physical injury in a safe place before arrest in which case it is a class 1 misdemeanor. D. For the purposes of this section, "detention officer" means a person other than an elected official who is employed by a county, city or town and who is responsible for the supervision, protection, care, custody or control of inmates in a county or municipal correctional institution. Detention officer does not include counselors or secretarial, clerical or professionally trained personnel.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is unlawful imprisonment a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?

It depends on the circumstances: unlawful imprisonment ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1303.

Unlawful imprisonment - base offense: Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1303C) · Unlawful imprisonment - voluntary safe release: Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1303C)

Which Arizona statute covers unlawful imprisonment?

Unlawful imprisonment is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1303 (Unlawful imprisonment; classification; definition).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.