Felony in Arizona
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Arizona defines felonies by offense class (1–6), with Class 1 felonies carrying life or death sentences.
How Arizona treats Felony
Arizona uses a felony classification system from Class 1 (most serious, including murder and treason) to Class 6 (least serious). Class 1 felonies are punishable by life imprisonment or death; Class 2–6 felonies carry progressively shorter presumptive sentences. Arizona law also recognizes dangerous crimes against children, which carry mandatory minimum sentences. Felony convictions permanently restrict voting rights, firearm ownership, and professional licensing in many fields.
The general definition of Felony
A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.
A felony is the most serious category of crime in the US criminal system. The key distinction is punishment: if a conviction can result in more than one year of imprisonment, it's a felony. Felonies include crimes like murder, rape, robbery, and drug trafficking. A felony conviction carries long-term consequences, including loss of voting rights, gun ownership restrictions, and difficulty finding employment.
Read the full Felony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.