THREATS & INTIMIDATION LAWYER

Understanding Arizona Threats-Intimidation Laws (A.R.S. § 13-1202) — and How We Help You

Understanding A.R.S. § 13-1202 — What’s actually charged

Arizona’s statute targets threats by words or conduct to:

• Injure a person or seriously damage property; or
• Cause (or recklessly disregard causing) serious public inconvenience, like evacuating a building, place of assembly, or transportation facility; or
• Injure a person or damage property to promote/further/assist a criminal street gang, criminal syndicate, or racketeering enterprise. 

How it’s graded:

Most cases (the first two categories) are Class 1 misdemeanors, but can become Class 6 felonies if it’s retaliation for reporting a crime or if the person is a criminal street gang member. 

Gang/syndicate/racketeering threats are a Class 3 felony. 

What the State must prove:

Prosecutors have to show a threat by words or conduct that fits one of the statute’s categories, plus any facts that raise it to a felony (e.g., retaliation, gang/syndicate). We focus on: intent/knowledge, credibility, context, and whether the alleged threat actually meets the statute’s language. 

Common defenses we use:

• Ambiguous or conditional language (what you meant vs. how it was perceived) (When proof of a true threat is thin, the State may default to a Disorderly Conduct charge—we push back either way).
• Protected speech / context
• No “serious public inconvenience” as a matter of fact
• Identification and reliability issues (conflicting statements, missing video)
• Digital-evidence gaps (timestamps, edits, metadata)
• No retaliation / no gang-related proof for felony grading

Domestic violence tag (DV):

If there’s a qualifying relationship (spouse/partner, family/household, etc.), the State can add a DV designation, which can trigger additional conditions like counseling, no-contact orders, and firearm implications. And protective orders are always an issue.

Penalties:

• Charge level(s): Usually Class 1 misdemeanor; Class 6 felony if in retaliation for reporting a crime or if the person is a criminal street gang member; Class 3 felony if to promote/assist a gang/syndicate/racketeering.
• Class 1 misdemeanor exposure: Up to 6 months jail, $2,500 fine (plus surcharges), up to 3 years probation.
• Felony exposure (non-dangerous, first-offense): Class 6: ~0.33–2 years; Class 3: 2–8.75 years; fines up to $150,000. 

Possible outcomes:

Every court and fact pattern is different, but options can include:

• Dismissals when proof problems exist
• Diversion (where available) or reduction to a lesser offense
• Negotiated plea terms that minimize collateral fallout
• Afterward, depending on the result, potential set-aside relief

What to do right now:

• Don’t discuss the incident with anyone but your lawyer
• Preserve texts, DMs, call logs, and video (phone/Ring/CCTV)
• Follow all release and no-contact conditions
• Get a defense plan moving quickly—early action creates better options

• And if you are charged with threats and intimidation-domestic violence, Taylor Law Group is a 5-star Google reviewed Tucson domestic violence defense and criminal defense law firm.