Aggravated Domestic Violence
13-3601.02. Aggravated domestic violence; classification; definition
A. A person is guilty of aggravated domestic violence if the person within a period of eighty-four months commits a third or subsequent violation of a domestic violence offense or is convicted of a violation of a domestic violence offense and has previously been convicted of any combination of convictions of a domestic violence offense or acts in another state, a court of the United States or a tribal court that if committed in this state would be a violation of a domestic violence offense.
B. A person who is convicted under this section and who within a period of eighty-four months has been convicted of two prior violations of a domestic violence offense or acts in another state, a court of the United States or a tribal court that if committed in this state would be a domestic violence offense is not eligible for probation, pardon, commutation or suspension of sentence or release on any other basis until the person has served not less than four months in jail.
C. A person who is convicted under this section and who within a period of eighty-four months has been convicted of three or more prior violations of a domestic violence offense or acts in another state, a court of the United States or a tribal court that if committed in this state would be a domestic violence offense is not eligible for probation, pardon, commutation or suspension of sentence or release on any other basis until the person has served not less than eight months in jail.
D. The dates of the commission of the offenses are the determining factor in applying the eighty-four month provision in subsection A of this section regardless of the sequence in which the offenses were committed. For purposes of this section, a third or subsequent violation for which a conviction occurs does not include a conviction for an offense arising out of the same series of acts.
E. For the purposes of this section, prior convictions for misdemeanor domestic violence offenses apply only to convictions for offenses that were committed on or after January 1, 1999.
F. Aggravated domestic violence is a class 5 felony.
G. For the purposes of this section, "domestic violence offense" means an offense involving domestic violence as defined in section 13-3601.
Child Abuse
Child abuse requires proof of the following two things:
1. A person acted under circumstances likely to cause death or serious physical injury or under circumstances other than those likely to cause death or serious physical injury and
2. the person caused physical injury to a child,
3. or, having custody or care of a child, the person allowed the health of the child to be endangered
The attorneys at Shell & Nermyr have obtained not guilty verdicts for many people charged with child abuse. The attorneys at Shell & Nermyr have convinced many county prosecutors to dismiss cases in which our clients were charged with child abuse.
If a person is convicted of child abuse that person is often facing a prison sentence. However, in some cases a person may be granted probation but only if the case is handled properly by the criminal defense lawyer.
In the 21st century it is difficult to know if you can use corporal punishment with your child. Many police officers, prosecutors and judges believe that if you spank your child you are guilty of child abuse. However the law in Arizona does allow an adult to physically discipline a child. The lawyers at Shell & Nermyr can help you explain and demonstrate how an injury to a child happened.
It is almost always in a person’s best interest to not talk to police when the police are investigating a person. Every person in the United States, whether they are a citizen or not, have the right to remain silent. In order to invoke your right to remain silent you must be clear and state “I want to remain silent” or “I do not want to answer any questions”. The best thing to say is “I want my lawyer present before I answer any questions".
If a person is charged with or even thinks that they may be charged with child abuse it is very important to retain an attorney as quickly as possible. The lawyers at Shell & Nermyr will aggressively represent every client that is charged with a crime.
The law for child abuse in Arizona is Arizona Revised Statute 13-3623
13-3623. Child or vulnerable adult abuse
A. Under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury, any person who causes a child or vulnerable adult to suffer physical injury or, having the care or custody of a child or vulnerable adult, who causes or permits the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult to be injured or who causes or permits a child or vulnerable adult to be placed in a situation where the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult is endangered is guilty of an offense as follows:
1. If done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a class 2 felony and if the victim is under fifteen years of age it is punishable pursuant to section 13-604.01.
2. If done recklessly, the offense is a class 3 felony.
3. If done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class 4 felony.
B. Under circumstances other than those likely to produce death or serious physical injury to a child or vulnerable adult, any person who causes a child or vulnerable adult to suffer physical injury or abuse or, having the care or custody of a child or vulnerable adult, who causes or permits the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult to be injured or who causes or permits a child or vulnerable adult to be placed in a situation where the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult is endangered is guilty of an offense as follows:
1. If done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a class 4 felony.
2. If done recklessly, the offense is a class 5 felony.
3. If done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class 6 felony.
C. For the purposes of subsections A and B of this section, the terms endangered and abuse include but are not limited to circumstances in which a child or vulnerable adult is permitted to enter or remain in any structure or vehicle in which volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals are found or equipment is possessed by any person for the purpose of manufacturing a dangerous drug in violation of section 13-3407, subsection A, paragraphs 3 or 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a violation committed under the circumstances described in this subsection does not require that a person have care or custody of the child or vulnerable adult.
D. A person who intentionally or knowingly engages in emotional abuse of a vulnerable adult who is a patient or resident in any setting in which health care, health-related services or assistance with one or more of the activities of daily living is provided or, having the care or custody of a vulnerable adult, who intentionally or knowingly subjects or permits the vulnerable adult to be subjected to emotional abuse is guilty of a class 6 felony.
E. This section does not apply to:
1. A health care provider as defined in section 36-3201 who permits a patient to die or the patient's condition to deteriorate by not providing health care if that patient refuses that care directly or indirectly through a health care directive as defined in section 36-3201, through a surrogate pursuant to section 36-3231 or through a court appointed guardian as provided for in title 14, chapter 5, article 3.
2. A vulnerable adult who is being furnished spiritual treatment through prayer alone and who would not otherwise be considered to be abused, neglected or endangered if medical treatment were being furnished.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Abuse", when used in reference to a child, means abuse as defined in section 8-201, except for those acts in the definition that are declared unlawful by another statute of this title and, when used in reference to a vulnerable adult, means:
(a) Intentional infliction of physical harm.
(b) Injury caused by criminally negligent acts or omissions.
(c) Unlawful imprisonment, as described in section 13-1303.
(d) Sexual abuse or sexual assault.
2. "Child" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.
3. "Emotional abuse" means a pattern of ridiculing or demeaning a vulnerable adult, making derogatory remarks to a vulnerable adult, verbally harassing a vulnerable adult or threatening to inflict physical or emotional harm on a vulnerable adult.
4. "Physical injury" means the impairment of physical condition and includes any skin bruising, pressure sores, bleeding, failure to thrive, malnutrition, dehydration, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, injury to any internal organ or any physical condition that imperils health or welfare.
5. "Serious physical injury" means physical injury that creates a reasonable risk of death or that causes serious or permanent disfigurement, serious impairment of health or loss or protracted impairment of the function of any bodily organ or limb.
6. "Vulnerable adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or old
Child or Vulnerable Adult Abuse
13-3623. Child or vulnerable adult abuse; emotional abuse; classification; exceptions; definitions
A. Under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury, any person who causes a child or vulnerable adult to suffer physical injury or, having the care or custody of a child or vulnerable adult, who causes or permits the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult to be injured or who causes or permits a child or vulnerable adult to be placed in a situation where the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult is endangered is guilty of an offense as follows:
1. If done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a class 2 felony and if the victim is under fifteen years of age it is punishable pursuant to section 13-705.
2. If done recklessly, the offense is a class 3 felony.
3. If done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class 4 felony.
B. Under circumstances other than those likely to produce death or serious physical injury to a child or vulnerable adult, any person who causes a child or vulnerable adult to suffer physical injury or abuse or, having the care or custody of a child or vulnerable adult, who causes or permits the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult to be injured or who causes or permits a child or vulnerable adult to be placed in a situation where the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult is endangered is guilty of an offense as follows:
1. If done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a class 4 felony.
2. If done recklessly, the offense is a class 5 felony.
3. If done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class 6 felony.
C. For the purposes of subsections A and B of this section, the terms endangered and abuse include but are not limited to circumstances in which a child or vulnerable adult is permitted to enter or remain in any structure or vehicle in which volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals are found or equipment is possessed by any person for the purpose of manufacturing a dangerous drug in violation of section 13-3407, subsection A, paragraph 3 or 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a violation committed under the circumstances described in this subsection does not require that a person have care or custody of the child or vulnerable adult.
D. A person who intentionally or knowingly engages in emotional abuse of a vulnerable adult who is a patient or resident in any setting in which health care, health-related services or assistance with one or more of the activities of daily living is provided or, having the care or custody of a vulnerable adult, who intentionally or knowingly subjects or permits the vulnerable adult to be subjected to emotional abuse is guilty of a class 6 felony.
E. This section does not apply to:
1. A health care provider as defined in section 36-3201 who permits a patient to die or the patient's condition to deteriorate by not providing health care if that patient refuses that care directly or indirectly through a health care directive as defined in section 36-3201, through a surrogate pursuant to section 36-3231 or through a court appointed guardian as provided for in title 14, chapter 5, article 3.
2. A vulnerable adult who is being furnished spiritual treatment through prayer alone and who would not otherwise be considered to be abused, neglected or endangered if medical treatment were being furnished.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Abuse", when used in reference to a child, means abuse as defined in section 8-201, except for those acts in the definition that are declared unlawful by another statute of this title and, when used in reference to a vulnerable adult, means:
(a) Intentional infliction of physical harm.
(b) Injury caused by criminally negligent acts or omissions.
(c) Unlawful imprisonment, as described in section 13-1303.
(d) Sexual abuse or sexual assault.
2. "Child" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.
3. "Emotional abuse" means a pattern of ridiculing or demeaning a vulnerable adult, making derogatory remarks to a vulnerable adult, verbally harassing a vulnerable adult or threatening to inflict physical or emotional harm on a vulnerable adult.
4. "Physical injury" means the impairment of physical condition and includes any skin bruising, pressure sores, bleeding, failure to thrive, malnutrition, dehydration, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, injury to any internal organ or any physical condition that imperils health or welfare.
5. "Serious physical injury" means physical injury that creates a reasonable risk of death or that causes serious or permanent disfigurement, serious impairment of health or loss or protracted impairment of the function of any bodily organ or limb.
6. "Vulnerable adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a mental or physical impairment.
Kidnapping
The crime of kidnapping requires proof of the following three things:
1. The defendant knowingly restricted [another person's] [a child's] [an incompetent person's] movements; and
2. The restriction was accomplished
a. [by (physical force) (intimidation) (or) (deception)] [or] [without the consent of the custodian of the (child) (incompetent person)]; and
b. in a manner which interfered substantially with the person's movements; and
c. [by moving the person from place to place] [or] [by confining the person]; and
3. The restriction was with the intent to
[hold the person (for ransom) (as a shield) (or) (as a hostage)];
[hold the person for involuntary servitude];
[inflict (death) (physical injury) (or) ( ) on the person];
[aid in the commission of a felony];
[place a person in reasonable fear of immediate physical injury to (that person) (or) (another person)];
[interfere with the performance of a governmental or political function];
[seize or exercise control over a(n) (airplane) (train) (bus) (ship) (other vehicle)].
13-1304. Kidnapping; classification; consecutive sentence
A. A person commits kidnapping by knowingly restraining another person with the intent to:
1. Hold the victim for ransom, as a shield or hostage; or
2. Hold the victim for involuntary servitude; or
3. Inflict death, physical injury or a sexual offense on the victim, or to otherwise aid in the commission of a felony; or
4. Place the victim or a third person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury to the victim or such third person.
5. Interfere with the performance of a governmental or political function.
6. Seize or exercise control over any airplane, train, bus, ship or other vehicle.
B. Kidnapping is a class 2 felony unless the victim is released voluntarily by the defendant without physical injury in a safe place prior to arrest and prior to accomplishing any of the further enumerated offenses in subsection A of this section in which case it is a class 4 felony. If the victim is released pursuant to an agreement with the state and without any physical injury, it is a class 3 felony. If the victim is under fifteen years of age kidnapping is a class 2 felony punishable pursuant to section 13-604.01. The sentence for kidnapping of a victim under fifteen years of age shall run consecutively to any other sentence imposed on the defendant and to any undischarged term of imprisonment of the defendant.
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