Murder in Arizona law constitutes the intentional killing, under circumstances defined by law, of people within or under the jurisdiction of the U.S. state of Arizona.
In Arizona, a person is charged with murder when the offender knowingly and intentionally causes the death of a person or unborn child. The murder must be premeditated. In the state of Arizona, if one is found guilty of first-degree murder, there is the possibility of receiving the death penalty.[1]
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the year 2020, the state had a murder rate near the median for the entire country.[2]
Felony murder rule[edit]
Arizona abolished all common law criminal concepts and replaced them with criminal statutes.[3] The felony murder rule survives in Arizona by current statutory law. The felony murder rule holds that a killing of a person occurring in the course of, or in the immediate flight from, the commission of the following crimes is considered murder in the first degree:[4]
- Sexual Conduct with a minor
- Sexual Assault
- Molestation of a child
- Terrorism
- Marijuana offenses
- Dangerous drug offenses
- Narcotics offenses
- The use of minors in drug offenses
- Drive by shooting
- Kidnapping
- Burglary
- Arson
- Robbery
- Escape
- Child abuse
- Unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle
A person convicted of murder in the first degree faces possible sentences of life imprisonment or, when aggravating factors exist, the death penalty.[5]
Penalties[edit]
Source:[6]
| Offense | Mandatory sentencing |
|---|---|
| Negligent homicide | 1 to 8 years in prison |
| Manslaughter | 3 to 12+1⁄2 in prison |
| Second-degree murder | 10 to 22 years in prison |
| First-degree murder |
|
Notes[edit]
- ^ Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has set a moratorium on Arizona's death penalty.
References[edit]
- ^ "13-1105 – First-degree murder; classification". Azleg.state.az.us. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
- ^ "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ A.R.S. 13-103.
- ^ A.R.S. 13-1105.
- ^ A.R.S. 13-751.
- ^ "Arizona Vehicular Crimes - Phoenix AZ Criminal Lawyers - Gillespie Law Firm". Craiggillespie.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012.