Understanding Misdemeanor Classes in Arizona: Class 1, 2 & 3 Offenses Explained

August 21, 2025

Understanding Misdemeanor Classes in Arizona: Class 1, 2 & 3 Offenses Explained

When people hear the word “misdemeanor,” they often assume it’s a minor issue that doesn’t require serious attention. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding can lead to lasting consequences. In Arizona, misdemeanors are categorized into three classes—Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3—each with varying degrees of severity and potential penalties.


At DwaneCates.com, PLLC, we believe that understanding the structure of Arizona’s criminal law system is the first step in protecting your rights. If you or a loved one is facing a misdemeanor charge, knowing what each class means can help you make informed decisions.


What Is a Misdemeanor in Arizona?

A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is less severe than a felony but more serious than a civil infraction. While misdemeanors don’t typically result in prison time, they can still carry jail sentences, steep fines, and other penalties that follow you well beyond the courtroom.


Arizona divides misdemeanors into three classifications:

  • Class 1 Misdemeanors – The most serious
  • Class 2 Misdemeanors – Mid-level offenses
  • Class 3 Misdemeanors – The least serious


Class 1 Misdemeanors: The Most Serious Category

Class 1 misdemeanors carry the harshest penalties available for misdemeanor crimes in Arizona. These offenses include:

  • First-time DUI offenses
  • Assault (without aggravating circumstances)
  • Domestic violence-related charges
  • Theft involving low-value property
  • Disorderly conduct


Penalties for Class 1 Misdemeanors:

  • Up to 6 months in jail
  • Fines up to $2,500 (plus court surcharges)
  • Up to 3 years of probation

A conviction at this level can result in serious consequences for your career, education, and public record.


Class 2 Misdemeanors: Moderate-Level Offenses

Class 2 misdemeanors are less severe than Class 1 but still involve meaningful penalties. These offenses often include:

  • Reckless driving
  • Criminal damage under a certain threshold
  • Leaving the scene of a minor accident
  • Harassment


Penalties for Class 2 Misdemeanors:

  • Up to 4 months in jail
  • Fines up to $750
  • Up to 2 years of probation

Even without jail time, a Class 2 conviction can appear in background checks and affect future opportunities.


Class 3 Misdemeanors: The Lowest Level

While Class 3 misdemeanors are the least serious in Arizona’s legal system, they are still criminal charges that carry real consequences. Common Class 3 offenses include:

  • Third-degree criminal trespassing
  • Certain traffic-related violations
  • Minor in possession of alcohol
  • Loitering


Penalties for Class 3 Misdemeanors:

  • Up to 30 days in jail
  • Fines up to $500
  • Up to 1 year of probation

Even minor misdemeanor charges can complicate job applications, background checks, and professional licensing processes.


Aggravating Circumstances and Repeat Offenses

In some cases, aggravating factors—such as repeat offenses, involvement of minors, or the use of weapons—can lead to increased penalties or elevation of a misdemeanor charge to a felony. Additionally, a prior misdemeanor conviction can enhance the penalties for a new charge, even within the same class.


Can You Reduce or Dismiss a Misdemeanor Charge?

Yes. Many misdemeanor cases can be resolved favorably through legal defenses, negotiations, or alternative resolutions such as:

  • Diversion programs
  • Deferred sentencing
  • Plea reductions
  • Dismissals based on insufficient evidence or legal violations

With proper legal representation, it may be possible to reduce the impact on your record or avoid conviction entirely.


Why You Should Not Ignore a Misdemeanor Charge

No criminal charge should be taken lightly. A misdemeanor on your record can lead to:

  • Job application rejections
  • Travel restrictions
  • Difficulty obtaining housing
  • Loss of government benefits or aid
  • Increased penalties for future charges

Having a knowledgeable and committed legal team in your corner can make a measurable difference in the outcome of your case.


Contact DwaneCates.com, PLLC Today

If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor in Phoenix or the surrounding areas, time is critical. The decisions you make early in the process can shape your legal future.



At DwaneCates.com, PLLC, we examine every detail of your case and provide clear, honest guidance. Our goal is to fight for the best outcome possible—whether through reduction, dismissal, or trial.

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When charged with a crime in Arizona you need the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer you can find. This is not always easy. Dwane Cates is one of the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Arizona and has the Credentials to prove it. He is Board Certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a Specialist in Criminal Law. This means that he had to take an extra bar exam, he has to attend additional and more advanced training every year and he has verified trial experience. The State Bar of Arizona also awarded Dwane Cates with the Tom Karas Award for Criminal Justice. This is a very exclusive award and only twenty two Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers have ever received this award. Being a great attorney is more than just about knowledge and understanding the law. Managing large criminal cases requires a true captain who can navigate the case through all types of obstacles and aversion. He or she must be able to explore the case from both an offensive and defensive position. It is essential to explore any investigative issues to challenge the allegations and evidence wherever possible while simultaneously exploring mitigation to allow for more meaningful settlement potential should the facts of the case not be favorable to the accused. Arizona Criminal Lawyer, Dwane Cates, understands how to navigate large complex criminal cases. Homicide cases require different components than Dangerous Crimes Against Children, which in turn require different components than Dangerous Drug Sales. He understands the timing and the steps needed and is never about just doing the minimum. He is an excellent captain who gathers the right resources in each case to reach the best possible outcome. Finding and hiring the best forensic experts possible is a key part of managing large criminal cases. Finding needed areas for expert review and input is just the beginning. Vetting experts, strategically setting the scope of their work, and evolving opinions through the case evolution is complex and requires skill and communication. Dwane picks up the phone and calls various experts to discuss possibilities in a case and often is directed into more areas to explore. He knows how to best use the resources around him and the relationships he built over the past 25 years. Case Investigation is particularly important. Mr. Cates thoroughly reviews the State’s evidence and investigation. He tries to challenge any physical evidence by bringing in forensic experts to challenge specific areas of DNA, ballistics, pathology, toxicology, pharmacology, and scene reconstruction. He tries to challenge any witness evidence by exploring witness backgrounds, credibility, eyewitness identification issues, interrogation issues, and finding and interviewing witnesses not appropriately identified or interviewed during the initial criminal investigation. Case Mitigation can serve a critical role in preparing a defense to a charge in Arizona. Arizona Criminal lawyer, Dwane Cates, believes that understanding the person charged is just as important as understanding the charges alleged. Exploring all extenuating circumstances to a charged event and the person charged, could aid in the reduction of charges and/or the possible sentencing outcomes faced in a case. Arizona’s mandatory minimum sentencing statutes that also include many built-in enhancements requires mitigation exploration. Gathering mitigation and supporting records should be done by an experienced Mitigation Specialist. It is also important to find potential mental health issues and when present, have them substantiated by proper forensic evaluation. Psychosexual, psychological, and neuropsychological evaluations can be critical to confirming and proving genuine conditions that contributed to offense behavior. Dwane Cates understands how to begin a case, evolve with the case through the defense investigation, and then how to navigate to the best possible outcome. He actively sends deviation requests, investigative and expert reports, and mitigation as needed to work the case to the best conclusion. Most importantly, Dwane is an excellent trial attorney and as the case is worked, he figures out if trial is proper and strategizes accordingly. Complex cases need to be managed by an experienced trial attorney with a reputation of winning trials. The prosecutions posture in complex criminal cases is dramatically affected by whether they are worried about facing an attorney in trial.