Misdemeanors are a category of criminal offenses which are less serious than felonies but have a greater severity than petty offenses. Different states have different subcategories of misdemeanors, with some using a letter system, such as Class A to Class D.
Arizona uses a number system with Class 1 as the most severe and Class 3 as the least. Violations under each category have different sentencing rules.
We’ll discuss the differences between each of the subcategories and what common crimes fall under each. If you’re facing criminal charges, it’s best to get the help of our experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorney. Call our law office today to get skillful legal representation!
According to Arizona criminal law, Class 3 is the least severe among the misdemeanor categories. Only petty offenses carry less severity than these types of criminal activity.
If you’re convicted with a Class 3 misdemeanor, you could face jail time, fines, probation, and other consequences depending on how many times you’ve committed the offense.
If it’s your first Class 3 offense, then you’d be sentenced according to the Class 3 misdemeanor statute. However, if you’ve been convicted for the same violation within 2 years of the first one, then you will be sentenced as if it’s a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Your first offense can land you up to one month in county jail, not state prison. The judge can decide to suspend this in favor of probation of a year. The maximum fine you could receive is $500.
If you’re caught committing the same offense multiple times in two years, then you can face up to $750 in fines, as well as four months in county jail or two-year probation.
Some offenses of Arizona Class 3 misdemeanors are:
Even a Class 3 offense should be taken seriously. A conviction not only gets you all the penalties involved, but a criminal record can affect your future beyond the offense. Hire the legal services of a qualified Phoenix criminal defense lawyer to help get you through the criminal justice system.
Class 2 misdemeanors are the middle level of severity for misdemeanor crimes, not too severe to become Class 1 but not light enough for a Class 3 categorization.
Your criminal background can affect the penal consequences you face, such as fines or jail time. And as with Class 3, the number of times you commit the same offense in two years can affect your punishment.
First-time offenders can get up to four months in county jail or receive two-year probation in its stead. The fines for your first offense can reach up to $750.
Multiple convictions within two years can get you the same penalties as a first-time Class 1 offense. This means up to six months of jail time or three years of probation, along with $2,500 in fines.
Offenses that fall under the Class 2 misdemeanor category include:
Conviction of this class of misdemeanor offense can cause difficulties for you and your loved ones. If a prosecutor has charged you with a Class 2 misdemeanor, our savvy Phoenix criminal attorney can help you face court and prevent the punishment under a Class 2 conviction.
This class of misdemeanor criminal offense is the most severe, only below a felony. If you’ve been prosecuted and convicted of a Class 1 misdemeanor, the penalties you face will be much heavier than the other classes.
A criminal conviction of a Class 1 misdemeanor gets you different punishment depending on how many times you’re convicted of the same offense in two years by the prosecution. If you have a prior conviction, then you’ll face punishment as in the next level of offense, a Class 6 felony.
A first offense can get you no more than six months of jail time and $2,500 in fines. The judge can impose a maximum of three years of probation, which is required if your offense involves possession of drugs or drug-related paraphernalia.
If you have at least one previous conviction, then that’s punishable by two years of jail time and no more than $150,000 in fines.
The following offenses constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor according to Arizona state law:
Class 1 misdemeanors are the most grave out of all the misdemeanor categories. The services of an experienced Phoenix defense attorney can be of great help, whether it’s proving your innocence or preventing the maximum punishment. Call us now so for a free consultation
Even if misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, the consequences you face are no small matter. Not only will you be facing the mandatory punishment, but you might also have to deal with problems with your job, with your home, or your family!
With both felonies and misdemeanors, our lawyers at Snader Law Group, LLC have years of success defending people in AZ criminal court. With our knowledge of criminal defense law and the legal system, we can protect you from all the consequences that come with a misdemeanor conviction.
The law is harsh but we can fight for you to protect your future. Call our Phoenix criminal defense law firm today to schedule a consultation with our competent defense attorneys.
