House Engrossed Senate Bill

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-third Legislature

First Regular Session

2017

 

 

SENATE BILL 1366

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

amending sections 13‑701 and 13‑1204, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to aggravated assault.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Section 13-701, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE13-701.  Sentence of imprisonment for felony; presentence report; aggravating and mitigating factors; consecutive terms of imprisonment; definition

A.  A sentence of imprisonment for a felony shall be a definite term of years and the person sentenced, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be committed to the custody of the state department of corrections.

B.  No prisoner may be transferred to the custody of the state department of corrections without a certified copy of the judgment and sentence, signed by the sentencing judge, and a copy of a recent presentence investigation report unless the court has waived preparation of the report.

C.  The minimum or maximum term imposed pursuant to section 13‑702, 13‑703, 13‑704, 13‑705, 13‑708, 13‑710, 13‑1406, 13‑3212 or 13‑3419 may be imposed only if one or more of the circumstances alleged to be in aggravation of the crime are found to be true by the trier of fact beyond a reasonable doubt or are admitted by the defendant, except that an alleged aggravating circumstance under subsection D, paragraph 11 of this section shall be found to be true by the court, or in mitigation of the crime are found to be true by the court, on any evidence or information introduced or submitted to the court or the trier of fact before sentencing or any evidence presented at trial, and factual findings and reasons in support of such findings are set forth on the record at the time of sentencing.

D.  For the purpose of determining the sentence pursuant to subsection C of this section, the trier of fact shall determine and the court shall consider the following aggravating circumstances, except that the court shall determine an aggravating circumstance under paragraph 11 of this subsection:

1.  Infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical injury, except if this circumstance is an essential element of the offense of conviction or has been utilized to enhance the range of punishment under section 13‑704.

2.  Use, threatened use or possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument during the commission of the crime, except if this circumstance is an essential element of the offense of conviction or has been utilized to enhance the range of punishment under section 13‑704.

3.  If the offense involves the taking of or damage to property, the value of the property taken or damaged.

4.  Presence of an accomplice.

5.  Especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner in which the offense was committed.

6.  The defendant committed the offense as consideration for the receipt, or in the expectation of the receipt, of anything of pecuniary value.

7.  The defendant procured the commission of the offense by payment, or promise of payment, of anything of pecuniary value.

8.  At the time of the commission of the offense, the defendant was a public servant and the offense involved conduct directly related to the defendant's office or employment.

9.  The victim or, if the victim has died as a result of the conduct of the defendant, the victim's immediate family suffered physical, emotional or financial harm.

10.  During the course of the commission of the offense, the death of an unborn child at any stage of its development occurred.

11.  The defendant was previously convicted of a felony within the ten years immediately preceding the date of the offense.  A conviction outside the jurisdiction of this state for an offense that if committed in this state would be punishable as a felony is a felony conviction for the purposes of this paragraph.

12.  The defendant was wearing body armor as defined in section 13‑3116.

13.  The victim of the offense is at least sixty‑five years of age or is a person with a disability as defined in section 38‑492, subsection B.

14.  The defendant was appointed pursuant to title 14 as a fiduciary and the offense involved conduct directly related to the defendant's duties to the victim as fiduciary.

15.  Evidence that the defendant committed the crime out of malice toward a victim because of the victim's identity in a group listed in section 41‑1750, subsection A, paragraph 3 or because of the defendant's perception of the victim's identity in a group listed in section 41‑1750, subsection A, paragraph 3.

16.  The defendant was convicted of a violation of section 13‑1102, section 13‑1103, section 13‑1104, subsection A, paragraph 3 or section 13‑1204, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 arising from an act that was committed while driving a motor vehicle and the defendant's alcohol concentration at the time of committing the offense was 0.15 or more.  For the purposes of this paragraph, "alcohol concentration" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28‑101.

17.  Lying in wait for the victim or ambushing the victim during the commission of any felony.

18.  The offense was committed in the presence of a child and any of the circumstances exists that are set forth in section 13‑3601, subsection A.

19.  The offense was committed in retaliation for a victim either reporting criminal activity or being involved in an organization, other than a law enforcement agency, that is established for the purpose of reporting or preventing criminal activity.

20.  The defendant was impersonating a peace officer as defined in section 1‑215.

21.  The defendant was in violation of 8 United States Code section 1323, 1324, 1325, 1326 or 1328 at the time of the commission of the offense.

22.  The defendant used a remote stun gun or an authorized remote stun gun in the commission of the offense.  For the purposes of this paragraph:

(a)  "Authorized remote stun gun" means a remote stun gun that has all of the following:

(i)  An electrical discharge that is less than one hundred thousand volts and less than nine joules of energy per pulse.

(ii)  A serial or identification number on all projectiles that are discharged from the remote stun gun.

(iii)  An identification and tracking system that, on deployment of remote electrodes, disperses coded material that is traceable to the purchaser through records that are kept by the manufacturer on all remote stun guns and all individual cartridges sold.

(iv)  A training program that is offered by the manufacturer.

(b)  "Remote stun gun" means an electronic device that emits an electrical charge and that is designed and primarily employed to incapacitate a person or animal either through contact with electrodes on the device itself or remotely through wired probes that are attached to the device or through a spark, plasma, ionization or other conductive means emitting from the device.

23.  During or immediately following the commission of the offense, the defendant committed a violation of section 28‑661, 28‑662 or 28‑663.

24.  The defendant was convicted of a violation of section 13‑1307 or 13‑1308 and the defendant recruited, enticed or obtained the victim from a shelter that is designed to serve runaway youth, foster children, homeless persons or victims of human trafficking, domestic violence or sexual assault.

25.  The defendant was convicted of a violation of section 13-1204 and there is evidence that the defendant committed the crime out of malice toward a victim because of the victim's employment as a peace officer.

25.  26.  Any other factor that the state alleges is relevant to the defendant's character or background or to the nature or circumstances of the crime.

E.  For the purpose of determining the sentence pursuant to subsection C of this section, the court shall consider the following mitigating circumstances:

1.  The age of the defendant.

2.  The defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the defendant's conduct or to conform the defendant's conduct to the requirements of law was significantly impaired, but not so impaired as to constitute a defense to prosecution.

3.  The defendant was under unusual or substantial duress, although not to a degree that would constitute a defense to prosecution.

4.  The degree of the defendant's participation in the crime was minor, although not so minor as to constitute a defense to prosecution.

5.  During or immediately following the commission of the offense, the defendant complied with all duties imposed under sections 28‑661, 28‑662 and 28‑663.

6.  Any other factor that is relevant to the defendant's character or background or to the nature or circumstances of the crime and that the court finds to be mitigating.

F.  If the trier of fact finds at least one aggravating circumstance, the trial court may find by a preponderance of the evidence additional aggravating circumstances.  In determining what sentence to impose, the court shall take into account the amount of aggravating circumstances and whether the amount of mitigating circumstances is sufficiently substantial to justify the lesser term.  If the trier of fact finds aggravating circumstances and the court does not find any mitigating circumstances, the court shall impose an aggravated sentence.

G.  The court in imposing a sentence shall consider the evidence and opinions presented by the victim or the victim's immediate family at any aggravation or mitigation proceeding or in the presentence report.

H.  This section does not affect any provision of law that imposes the death penalty, that expressly provides for imprisonment for life or that authorizes or restricts the granting of probation and suspending the execution of sentence.

I.  The intentional failure by the court to impose the mandatory sentences or probation conditions provided in this title is malfeasance.

J.  For the purposes of this section, "trier of fact" means a jury, unless the defendant and the state waive a jury in which case the trier of fact means the court. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.  Section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE13-1204.  Aggravated assault; classification; definitions

A.  A person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13‑1203 under any of the following circumstances:

1.  If the person causes serious physical injury to another.

2.  If the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

3.  If the person commits the assault by any means of force that causes temporary but substantial disfigurement, temporary but substantial loss or impairment of any body organ or part or a fracture of any body part.

4.  If the person commits the assault while the victim is bound or otherwise physically restrained or while the victim's capacity to resist is substantially impaired.

5.  If the person commits the assault after entering the private home of another with the intent to commit the assault.

6.  If the person is eighteen years of age or older and commits the assault on a minor under fifteen years of age.

7.  If the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13‑1203, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 3 and the person is in violation of an order of protection issued against the person pursuant to section 13‑3602 or 13‑3624.

8.  If the person commits the assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is any of the following:

(a)  A peace officer or a person summoned and directed by the officer while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the peace officer's official duties.

(b)  A constable or a person summoned and directed by the constable while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the constable's official duties.

(c)  A firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic engaged in the execution of any official duties or a person summoned and directed by such individual while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the official duties of the firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic.

(d)  A teacher or other person employed by any school and the teacher or other employee is on the grounds of a school or grounds adjacent to the school or is in any part of a building or vehicle used for school purposes, any teacher or school nurse visiting a private home in the course of the teacher's or nurse's professional duties or any teacher engaged in any authorized and organized classroom activity held on other than school grounds.

(e)  A health care practitioner who is certified or licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 15, 17 or 25, or a person summoned and directed by the licensed health care practitioner while engaged in the person's professional duties.  This subdivision does not apply if the person who commits the assault is seriously mentally ill, as defined in section 36‑550, or is afflicted with alzheimer's disease or related dementia.

(f)  A prosecutor while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the prosecutor's official duties.

(g)  A code enforcement officer as defined in section 39-123 while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the code enforcement officer's official duties.

(h)  A state or municipal park ranger while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the park ranger's official duties.

(i)  A public defender while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the public defender's official duties.

(j)  A judicial officer while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the judicial officer's official duties.

9.  If the person knowingly takes or attempts to exercise control over any of the following:

(a)  A peace officer's or other officer's firearm and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection and is engaged in the execution of any official duties.

(b)  Any weapon other than a firearm that is being used by a peace officer or other officer or that the officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection and is engaged in the execution of any official duties.

(c)  Any implement that is being used by a peace officer or other officer or that the officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection and is engaged in the execution of any official duties.  For the purposes of this subdivision, "implement" means an object that is designed for or that is capable of restraining or injuring an individual.  Implement does not include handcuffs.

10.  If the person meets both of the following conditions:

(a)  Is imprisoned or otherwise subject to the custody of any of the following:

(i)  The state department of corrections.

(ii)  The department of juvenile corrections.

(iii)  A law enforcement agency.

(iv)  A county or city jail or an adult or juvenile detention facility of a city or county.

(v)  Any other entity that is contracting with the state department of corrections, the department of juvenile corrections, a law enforcement agency, another state, any private correctional facility, a county, a city or the federal bureau of prisons or other federal agency that has responsibility for sentenced or unsentenced prisoners.

(b)  Commits an assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is acting in an official capacity as an employee of any of the entities listed in subdivision (a) of this paragraph.

11.  If the person uses a simulated deadly weapon.

B.  A person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault by either intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person, intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury or knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure the person, and both of the following occur:

1.  The person intentionally or knowingly impedes the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by obstructing the nose and mouth either manually or through the use of an instrument.

2.  Any of the circumstances exists that are set forth in section 13‑3601, subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

C.  A person who is convicted of intentionally or knowingly committing aggravated assault on a peace officer while the officer is engaged in the execution of any official duties pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than the presumptive sentence authorized under chapter 7 of this title and is not eligible for suspension of sentence, commutation or release on any basis until the sentence imposed is served.

D.  It is not a defense to a prosecution for assaulting a peace officer or a mitigating circumstance that the peace officer was not on duty or engaged in the execution of any official duties.

D.  E.  Except pursuant to subsections F and G of this section, aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2, paragraph 9, subdivision (a) or paragraph 11 of this section is a class 3 felony except if the aggravated assault is a violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section and the victim is under fifteen years of age it is a class 2 felony punishable pursuant to section 13‑705. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 or subsection B of this section is a class 4 felony.  Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 9, subdivision (b) or paragraph 10 of this section is a class 5 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 or paragraph 9, subdivision (c) of this section is a class 6 felony.

E.  F.  Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section committed on a peace officer while the officer is engaged in the execution of any official duties is a class 2 felony.  Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section committed on a peace officer while the officer is engaged in the execution of any official duties is a class 3 felony.  Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (a) of this section committed on a peace officer while the officer is engaged in the execution of any official duties is a class 5 felony unless the assault results in any physical injury to the peace officer while the officer is engaged in the execution of any official duties, in which case it is a class 4 felony.

F.  G.  Aggravated assault pursuant to:

1.  Subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section is a class 2 felony if committed on a prosecutor.

2.  Subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section is a class 3 felony if committed on a prosecutor.

3.  Subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (f) of this section is a class 5 felony if the assault results in physical injury to a prosecutor.

G.  H.  For the purposes of this section:

1.  "Judicial officer" means a justice of the supreme court, judge, justice of the peace or magistrate or a commissioner or hearing officer of a state, county or municipal court.

2.  "Prosecutor" means a county attorney, a municipal prosecutor or the attorney general and includes an assistant or deputy county attorney, municipal prosecutor or attorney general. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3.  Short title

This act shall be cited as the "Blue Lives Matter Law".