Felony Charges in Arizona: What You Need to Know

Facing felony charges in Arizona can be life-changing. Felonies are the most serious criminal offenses under Arizona law and carry long-term consequences, including potential prison time, loss of civil rights, and a permanent criminal record. At Litwak Law Group, our Phoenix felony defense attorneys provide strategic, aggressive representation for individuals charged with all classes of felony offenses.

What Is a Felony in Arizona?

In Arizona, a felony is any crime that is punishable by more than one year in prison. Felonies are distinct from misdemeanors, which carry lighter penalties. Felonies range in severity from non-violent property crimes to the most serious offenses such as homicide and sexual assault.

Being convicted of a felony can lead to devastating outcomes, including:

• Extended incarceration in state prison
• Loss of voting rights and firearm ownership
• Difficulty securing employment or housing
• Immigration consequences for non-citizens

Early legal intervention is critical. If you’re under investigation or have been arrested, call us right away.

Common Felony Charges We Handle

We defend clients in Phoenix and throughout Arizona against a wide range of felony charges, including:

• Drug Crimes (Possession, Trafficking, Sales)
• Aggravated DUI and OUI
• Sex Crimes (Sexual assault, child pornography, molestation)
• Assault and Aggravated Assault
• Homicide and Manslaughter
• Theft and Burglary
• Weapons Offenses
• Domestic Violence Felonies
• White Collar Crimes
• Probation Violations
• Gang-Related Offenses

Even charges that may seem minor can be classified as felonies based on specific facts, such as the use of a weapon or prior convictions.

Arizona Felony Classes & Sentencing

Felonies in Arizona are divided into six classes—Class 1 being the most severe and Class 6 the least. Here’s a breakdown:

• Class 1 Felony: Reserved for First-Second-Degree Murder. Punishable by 25 years to life in prison.
• Class 2 Felony: Includes serious crimes like sexual assault, drug trafficking, or armed robbery. Prison time ranges from 3 to 12.5 years (or more with aggravating factors).
• Class 3 Felony: Often includes aggravated assault, certain theft offenses, and more. Sentences range from 2 to 8.75 years.
• Class 4 Felony: Charges like forgery, perjury, and certain types of fraud fall here. Punishable by 1.5 to 3.75 years.
• Class 5 Felony: Includes criminal damage, unlawful flight, and some drug crimes. Sentences can range from 0.75 to 2.5 years.
• Class 6 Felony: The least severe felony. Includes some DUI, theft, or assault charges. Sentences range from 0.33 to 2 years. In some cases, a Class 6 felony may be reduced to a misdemeanor.

Arizona Felony Sentencing Guidelines

Arizona uses mandatory sentencing laws, meaning judges must sentence within specific ranges unless mitigating or aggravating factors apply. Sentencing is influenced by factors such as:

• Prior criminal history
• Use of a weapon
• Victim impact
• Level of harm caused
• Acceptance of responsibility or willingness to complete treatment

A skilled criminal defense lawyer can present strong mitigation to argue for reduced sentencing or probation.

Felony Convictions Come with Long-Term Consequences

The impact of a felony conviction doesn’t end with jail time. It can affect your ability to:

• Vote or own a firearm
• Hold professional licenses
• Secure employment or housing
• Receive certain government benefits

That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced Phoenix felony attorney by your side from the start.

We Fight to Protect Your Future

We aggressively defend our clients from the moment of arrest through trial or resolution. Our team understands the high stakes of felony charges and knows how to challenge evidence, negotiate favorable plea agreements, or fight for a full acquittal at trial.

Don’t wait for charges to be filed. If you’re being investigated or have already been charged with a felony, contact us today.