Class 3 Felony Crimes in Arizona

Class 3 felony crimes in Arizona include aggravated assault, burglary, possession of a dangerous drug, or trafficking of a controlled substance. There are six classes of felonies in Arizona, and class 3 offenses are considered midrange. A dedicated Arizona criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of John Phebus can put up a strong fight for you if you’ve been arrested for a class 3 felony.

What Is a Class 3 Felony in Arizona?

In Arizona, there are approximately 40 different class 3 felonies. The state classifies crimes into different categories based on their severity and potential punishment. Class 3 felonies are considered less serious than classes 1 and 2 but more severe than classes 4, 5, and 6. 

What Is the Penalty for a Class 3 Felony in Arizona?

The penalties for a class 3 felony In Arizona vary depending on the exact offense and if there were aggravating factors present. In general, class 3 felonies come with a sentence of 2.5 years to 8.75 years in prison and fines. When determining a fitting punishment, the court has discretion in sentencing and will consider the defendant’s criminal record, the circumstances of the crime, and mitigating factors, if any. If you have priors, expect  a more harsh penalty:

• Two or more prior felonies: 7.5 to 25 years and fines
• One prior felony: 3.25 to 16.25 years and fines

Types of Class 3 Felonies in Arizona

Class 3 Felonies: Non-Dangerous Offenses

In Arizona, class 3 felonies are deemed non-dangerous or dangerous. A non-dangerous felony has lighter penalties than one involving violence, force, or aggression. If a defendant is convicted of a non-dangerous class 3 felony and has no other felony convictions, he or she could be jailed for 2-8.9 years.

Repeat offenders do get harsher sentences. To be considered a repeat offender, a defendant must be over 18, tried as an adult, and convicted of multiple class 3 felonies. For the first or second non-dangerous class 3 felony, you could get 2-8.9 years behind bars. Expect a jail term of 3.3-16.3 years for committing a third or subsequent non-dangerous class 3 felony, 

As Scottsdale criminal defense lawyers, some non-dangerous class 3 felonies we see are:

• Theft
• Forgery
• Criminal damage
• Identity theft
• Money laundering
• Possession of a dangerous drug for sale
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Robbery
• Aggravated DUI

Dangerous Offenses

A dangerous class 3 felony, as you might imagine, involves the use, charge, or threat of a person with a deadly weapon. Here are some examples of dangerous class 3 felonies in Arizona:

• Aggravated assault
• Manslaughter
• Negligent homicide
• Child prostitution
• Kidnapping
• Armed robbery
• Drive-by shooting

In Arizona, punishments for dangerous class 3 felonies include a 5-15 year jail sentence (no prior dangerous felony convictions), a 10-20 year jail sentence with one prior, or a 15-25 year prison term for two or more prior convictions. 

Dangerous Crimes Against Children

The third and final type of class 3 felony in Arizona is dangerous crimes against children. Perpetrators who commit dangerous class 4 felonies against minors under age 15 do get harsher punishments. Examples of class 4 felonies that qualify as dangerous crimes against children include:

• Child abuse
• Child sex trafficking
• Sexual exploitation of a minor
• Luring a minor for sexual exploitation
• Pandering involving a minor

A dangerous crime against a child comes with extra prison time. Moreover, defendants who perpetrated class 3 felonies against child victims are not eligible for probation. Additionally, repeat perpetrators of children will be fined more severely. 

Other Examples of Class 3 Felonies

Here are further examples of class 3 felonies as designated by the state of Arizona:

• Arizona Revised Statutes §5-516: Alteration of lottery tickets
• Arizona Revised Statutes §6-133: Filing false reports or making false entries regarding banking documents
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-705: Dangerous crimes against children
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1001: Attempt of a class 2 felony
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1002: Solicitation of a class 1 felony
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1202: Threatening or intimidating 
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1302: Custodial interference by someone other than the parent or legal guardian
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1404: Sexual abuse of a victim under age 15
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1411: Bestiality involving a minor 
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1419: Unlawful sexual conduct by a correctional employee with an offender aged 
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2109: Credit card transaction record theft
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2307: Trafficking in stolen property 
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2312: Illegal control of an enterprise; illegally conducting an enterprise
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2316: Computer tampering
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2321: Assisting a criminal street gang
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2409: Obstructing criminal investigations or prosecutions with intent to promote, further or assist a criminal street gang
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2512: Hindering prosecution in the first degree 
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2923: Stalking 
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3561: Unlawful age misrepresentation
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3609: Child bigamy
• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3707: Telecommunication fraud
• Arizona Revised Statutes §16-1011: Counterfeiting election returns
• Arizona Revised Statutes §28-661: Accidents involving death or personal injuries; failure to stop 
• Arizona Revised Statutes §36-854: Sale or purchase of human body parts
• Arizona Revised Statutes §42-1127: Sale or possession of untaxed cigarettes 

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Can a Class 3 Felony Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor?

In some cases, a class 3 felony might be eligible to be reduced to a misdemeanor. You really do need the best Tempe criminal defense lawyer you can find if you are hoping to get a mid-range felony dropped past class 4, 5, and 6 felonies to a misdemeanor.

Statute of Limitations for Class 3 Felonies in Arizona

The statute of limitations for class 3 felonies in Arizona is typically seven years. Note that this time limit is only running when and if the defendant is present in Arizona. If you have statute of limitations concerns about any class of felony in Arizona, we can help!

When You Need an Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyer

Charged with a class 3 felony? The Law Offices of John Phebus is hands-down one of the best Tempe criminal defense lawyers available. A class 3 felony can stay on your record forever and put you behind bars for decades—don’t delay in defending yourself. To set up a free legal consultation, contact us now.

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