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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
lifetime probation; early termination
Purpose
Prohibits a defendant's lifetime probation sentence from being modified or terminated by the court until the defendant serves at least 25 years of the probation sentence.
Background
If a person who has been convicted of an offense is eligible for probation, the court may suspend the imposition or execution of sentence and must, without delay, place the person on intensive probation supervision or supervised or unsupervised probation on such terms and conditions as the law requires and the court deems appropriate, including participation in any community punishment programs. The court, on its own initiative or on application of the probationer and after an opportunity for the victim to be heard, may terminate the period of probation earlier than what was originally imposed if the ends of justice will be served and if the conduct of the probationer warrants it (A.R.S. § 13-901).
A probationer who is under 22 years old and who was convicted of an offense that occurred when the probationer was under 18 years old and that requires registration as a sex offender may request a hearing to continue, modify or terminate probation. On such request, the court must conduct a hearing at least once a year. Specified individuals must be notified before the hearing (A.R.S. § 13-923).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits the court from modifying or terminating a defendant's period of probation before the defendant serves at least 25 years, if the defendant was sentenced to lifetime probation.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 26, 2026
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