Class 3 Misdemeanor Arizona Crimes click for a free consultation

Posted on August 27, 2024 in General

Arizona statutes do not treat every criminal offense the same. Each charge is divided into one of the three categories based on their severity. These categories include petty offenses, misdemeanors, and felony offenses. 

On this page, we simplify understanding Arizona’s criminal laws by examining one class of misdemeanors: Class 3.

Have you been charged with a misdemeanor crime in Arizona? Our criminal defense experts at the AZ Defenders can help. We provide legal representation for clients accused of Class 3 misdemeanor charges in Arizona and all other kinds of petty offense, felony, and misdemeanor cases.

Call us at (480) 456-6400 to discuss your case with one of our Arizona criminal law attorneys. We are available 24 hours a day to take your call every day.

What is a Class 3 Misdemeanor?

A Class 3 misdemeanor is the least serious offense among Arizona misdemeanor classifications. There are more than 130 Class 3 misdemeanor statutes in Arizona. Here are some specific Class 3 misdemeanor offenses:

• Criminal nuisance
• Criminal trespassing
• Domestic violence crimes
• Failure to stop after striking an unattended vehicle
• Excessive speeding
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle without an appropriate class of license
• Dumping trash on highways or airports
• Fireworks violations
• Disorderly conduct
• Causing serious physical injury or death by a moving vehicle
• Watercraft hit and run (no injuries)
• Obstructing a highway or other public thoroughfare
• Loitering (certain violations)
• Solicitation by an underage person of another person to purchase, sell, give, serve or furnish spirituous liquor contrary to law

What is the Statute of Limitations for Class 3 Misdemeanors in Arizona?

Under Arizona law, the state has one year from the crime’s occurrence to charge you with a Class 3 misdemeanor. The statute of limitations is two years if the offense involved a car accident that caused a serious injury or a fatality.

If the state fails to charge you with a Class 3 misdemeanor within these set time limits, it loses the right to prosecute you for the alleged criminal conduct.

However, there are some restrictions. If someone accused of a crime in Arizona is absent from the state, the one-year statute of limitations is suspended until they return.

What are the Penalties for Class 3 Misdemeanor Convictions?

Unlike some other Arizona laws, a Class 3 misdemeanor does not carry a mandatory minimum jail time sentence. Accordingly, the judge in a Class 3 misdemeanor case has considerable discretion in imposing penalties for a person found guilty.

First-Time Offender Sentences

One of the main factors a judge considers when determining a Class 3 misdemeanor sentence is whether or not it is a first-time offense. If it is, the penalties for a Class 3 misdemeanor offense include:

• A jail sentence of up to one month in jail
• Up to $500 in fines
• Up to one year of probation

Note that the judge also has the authority to impose additional payments in the form of assessments and surcharges on top of the maximum $500 fine. This fine can increase by almost $400.

Repeat Offender Sentences

If a person who is convicted of a Class 3 misdemeanor already has a prior conviction for the present offense within two years of the current conviction, the possible maximum penalties increase to the equivalent of a Class 2 misdemeanor:

• Jail sentences increase to up to four months
• Fines increase to up to $750
• Probation can last for up to two years.

What Collateral Consequences Exist for a Class 3 Misdemeanor?

A range of additional penalties are part of the judge’s discretionary authority to impose sanctions for a Class 3 misdemeanor criminal conviction or any other criminal offense.

These optional sentencing elements include:

• Restitution to the victims of the crime
• A community service requirement
• A driver’s license suspension for traffic offenses
• Home detention
• Work release
• Mandatory drug or alcohol counseling
• Therapy or mandatory education courses

Aside from additional sanctions that the judge can apply, a Class 3 misdemeanor conviction can also have other consequences on your public record that can make parts of your life harder for you. For example, you may have trouble obtaining Arizona professional licensing, securing employment, or qualifying for a loan.

If you have children, some cases may affect your ability to keep custody. Non-citizens’ immigration status can be adversely affected. And if your conviction involved a motor vehicle, your auto insurance insurer might increase your premiums.

Do You Need Help with a Class 3 Misdemeanor Charge in Arizona?

Although it is technically a minor offense, the minimum sentence for a Class 3 misdemeanor can cost you time in county jail, fines, a criminal record, and additional penalties. If you want to avoid or at least have a better chance to reduce these consequences through a plea bargain, you need a highly experienced criminal defense attorney.

At AZ Defenders, our experienced Arizona criminal attorneys can guide you through the legal system. We will build the strongest possible defense against any criminal offense, including misdemeanor or felony offenses.

Our legal team is highly experienced in defending Class 3 and other misdemeanors for our clients in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.

If you need legal counsel to defend yourself against criminal charges in Arizona, don’t take on the court process alone. Contact AZ Defenders today for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney by calling (480) 456-6400.