Sentencing Guidelines for Crimes Against Children Under the Age of 15

Arizona has broad sex crime laws under which virtually all types of non-consensual sexual contact are illegal and prosecutable. Most of these charges are felonies, although the degree is often dependent on the perceived severity of the violation of the victim’s rights as well as the types of injuries they suffer.

Society views sex crimes and violence against minors as even more egregious and harmful than sex crimes perpetrated against adults. The state has instituted harsher punishments, the details of which can be found in A.R.S. 13-705.

Dangerous Crimes Against Children Sentencing Guidelines

Section A Offenses

Those previously convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree and are accused of:

• Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor
• Child sex trafficking

Section A Sentencing

• Life in prison with no eligibility for parole or commutation

Section B Offenses

Those previously convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree and are accused of:

• Sexual assault of a minor 12 years of age or younger
• Sexual conduct with a minor 12 years of age or younger

Section B Sentencing

• Life in prison with no eligibility for probation, pardon or suspension of sentence

Section C Offenses

• Crimes involving attempted first degree murder of a minor under the age of 12
• Sexual assault of a minor under the age of 12
• Sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 12
• Injuries sustained by a child under the age of 12 during the manufacturing of methamphetamine

Section C Sentencing

• Minimum: 13 years
• Presumptive: 20 years
• Maximum: 27 years

Section D Offenses

• Second degree murder of a minor under the age of 15

Section D Sentencing

If not sentenced to life in prison, those convicted are subject to:

• Minimum: 25
• Presumptive: 30
• Maximum: 35

Section E Offenses

• Attempted first degree murder of a minor who is 12, 13 or 14
• Sexual assault of a minor who is 12, 13 or 14
• Taking a child who is 12, 13 or 14 for the purpose of prostitution, child sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation
• Causing a child who is 12, 13 or 14 to be injured during the manufacturing of methamphetamine or using minors in other drug crimes

Section E Sentencing

• Minimum: 13
• Presumptive 20
• Maximum 27

Sentencing guidelines are higher for people previously convicted of a predicate felony:

• Minimum: 25
• Presumptive: 30 
• Maximum: 37

Section F Offenses

• Aggravated assault
• Unlawful mutilation
• Molestation of a child
• Sexual exploitation of a minor
• Luring a minor for sexual exploitation
• Child abuse
• Kidnapping

Section F Sentencing

• Minimum: 10 years
• Presumptive: 17 years
• Maximum: 24 years

Sentencing guidelines are harsher for people previously convicted of a predicate felony:

• Minimum: 21 years
• Presumptive: 28 years
• Maximum 35 years

Section G Offenses

• Luring a minor for sexual exploitation
• Sexual extortion
• Unlawful age misrepresentation (potentially eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07)

Section G Sentencing

• Minimum: 5 years
• Presumptive: 10 years
• Maximum: 15 years

Sentencing guidelines are harsher for people previously convicted of a predicate felony:

• Minimum: 8 years
• Presumptive: 15 years
• Maximum: 22 years

Section H Offenses

• Sexual abuse or bestiality (causing a minor to engage in sexual contact with an animal – potentially eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07)

Section H Sentencing

• Minimum: 2.5 years
• Presumptive: 5 years
• Maximum: 7.5 years

Sentencing guidelines are harsher for people previously convicted of a predicate felony:

• Minimum: 8 years
• Presumptive: 15 years
• Maximum: 22 years

Section I Offenses

• Continuous sexual abuse of a child

Section I Sentencing

• Minimum: 39 years
• Presumptive: 60 years
• Maximum: 81 years

Sentencing guidelines are harsher for people previously convicted of a predicate felony:



• Minimum: 69 years
• Presumptive: 90 years
• Maximum: 111 years

Are You Being Accused of Child Molestation or Sexual Abuse in Phoenix?

Few criminal allegations carry a worse societal stigma than those involving the sexual abuse of children – especially those under the age of 15. If you are facing child sexual abuse or child molestation charges that are subject to the Dangerous Crimes Against Children sentencing guidelines, it’s likely in your best interest to consult with a board-certified criminal defense attorney who has experience challenging evidence and identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Schedule a free case evaluation today by calling (602) 818-3110.