Crimes against the person refer to offenses that cause, or threaten to cause, direct harm to another person. In Arizona, these crimes go beyond property damage and focus on acts that harm or intimidate another individual. The law treats these situations seriously since they involve a victim potentially facing violence.
Common examples in Arizona include:
Assault
Under Arizona law, a person commits assault if they intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause physical injury to another person, place someone in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm, or knowingly touch another person with the intent to injure, insult, or provoke. Assault can be charged as a misdemeanor or elevated to a felony, depending on the circumstances.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault occurs when an assault involves certain aggravating factors, such as causing serious physical injury, using a deadly weapon, or assaulting a person in a protected class, like a police officer or healthcare worker. Because of the increased risk of harm, aggravated assault is typically charged as a felony offense in Arizona.
Homicide Offenses
Arizona law defines several homicide offenses, including negligent homicide, manslaughter, second-degree murder, and first-degree murder. These crimes involve causing another person’s death through intentional actions, extreme recklessness, or criminal negligence.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping occurs when a person knowingly restrains another individual with the intent to hold them for ransom, use them as a shield or hostage, inflict injury, commit a felony, or otherwise interfere with the victim’s liberty. The severity of the charge can depend on whether the victim was harmed or safely released.
Domestic Violence Offenses
Under Arizona law, domestic violence is not a separate crime but a designation applied to certain criminal offenses when they occur between people with a qualifying relationship, such as spouses, former partners, family members, roommates, or individuals in a romantic relationship.
If a crime such as assault, harassment, threatening, or disorderly conduct occurs between people in one of these relationships, it may be charged as a domestic violence offense.
Threatening or Intimidating
Threatening or intimidating occurs when someone threatens or intimidates another person with the intent to cause physical injury, serious property damage, or disruption of public services. These charges can also arise if a person threatens to participate in a criminal street gang.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault occurs when a person intentionally or knowingly participates in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with another person without that person’s consent. This offense is a serious felony and can result in lengthy prison sentences and mandatory sex offender registration.
Robbery
A person commits robbery if, during the course of taking property from another person, they use force or threaten immediate force against the victim. Because robbery involves both theft and violence or intimidation, it is classified as a serious felony offense.
The details of the charge play a major role in determining how harshly a person is punished under Arizona law.
Potential Penalties for Crimes Against the Person
Penalties for crimes against the person in Arizona can differ widely based on the nature of the charge and the specific facts of the case. Below are some primary penalties that might come with these charges:
Jail or Prison Sentences
Many crimes against the person can result in jail or lengthy prison sentences, which could mean years away from your family. Severe offenses or situations involving aggravating circumstances often carry minimum terms that must be served. For the most serious offenses, like homicide, you could end up serving life in prison.
Significant Fines
Many of these convictions come with high fines, potentially reaching tens of thousands of dollars.
Probation
In some situations, a judge might order probation instead of, or in addition to, incarceration, with strict conditions you must follow. These often include regular check-ins with a probation officer, random or scheduled drug testing, mandatory classes, substance abuse treatment, or anything else the judge decides is appropriate.
Protective Orders
Courts can issue protective orders upon conviction or even during the case itself, which means you are legally blocked from going near or contacting the alleged victim. Failing to follow these orders can lead to additional charges and jail time.
Permanent Criminal Record
A conviction for a person-related crime creates a permanent record accessible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards and can limit your access to housing, certain jobs, and civil rights, like your right to possess firearms.
Penalties for these types of offenses carry consequences that continue long beyond the courtroom, affecting your future for years to come.
Defenses to Crimes Against the Person
Several defenses may apply in cases involving alleged crimes against the person. The appropriate strategy depends on the facts of the case, but some common ones include:
- Self-defense: You acted to protect yourself from imminent harm or threat, using only the force necessary in the situation.
- Defense of others: You intervened because someone else was in immediate danger, and your actions were reasonable and necessary under the circumstances.
- Accident: The so-called harm was unintentional and occurred purely by accident, not as a result of any deliberate conduct.
- False accusation: The events have been invented or exaggerated, possibly due to personal disputes or misunderstandings.
Having a skilled attorney by your side will give you the best chance to present your side of the story and defend yourself.
Call Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys for a Free Consultation With a Tucson Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you’re facing allegations of a crime against the person, the stakes are too high to handle alone. Your freedom, reputation, and future opportunities are all on the line. Having a knowledgeable Tucson criminal defense attorney on your side can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case.
At Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys, we are committed to protecting your rights and building a strong defense on your behalf. Call us today at (520) 376-1961 to schedule a free consultation.