ARS 13-2910.09: Equine tripping
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-2910.09 on equine tripping, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 1 misdemeanor and exposure reaching up to 6 months in jail.
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Penalties for a § 13-2910.09 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-2910.09 is the Arizona statute on equine tripping. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 6 months in jail.
| Class | Maximum jail | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | 6 months | $2,500 |
Felony ranges are set by A.R.S. § 13-702(D) and apply to a first felony conviction that is not dangerous and not repetitive. A dangerous offense (§ 13-704), a repetitive offense (§ 13-703) or a dangerous crime against children (§ 13-705) carries a longer range, and some carry mandatory prison with no probation. Misdemeanor maximums come from §§ 13-707 and 13-802; surcharges are added on top of every fine.
Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-2910.09
A. A person who knowingly or intentionally trips an equine for entertainment or sport is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
B. A person who is convicted of a first violation of this section:
1. Shall be sentenced to serve not less than forty-eight consecutive hours in jail and is not eligible for probation or suspension of execution of sentence unless the entire sentence is served.
2. Shall pay a fine of not less than one thousand dollars.
C. A person who is convicted of a second violation of this section:
1. Shall be sentenced to serve not less than thirty consecutive days in jail and is not eligible for probation or suspension of execution of sentence unless the entire sentence is served.
2. Shall pay a fine of not less than two thousand dollars.
D. A person who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of this section:
1. Shall be sentenced to serve not less than ninety consecutive days in jail and is not eligible for probation or suspension of execution of sentence unless the entire sentence is served.
2. Shall pay a fine of not less than two thousand dollars.
E. This section does not apply to any jumping or steeplechase events, racing, training, branding, show events, calf or steer roping events, bulldogging or steer wrestling events or any other traditional western rodeo events, including barrel racing, bareback or saddled bronc riding or other similar activities or events.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. “Equine” means a horse, pony, mule, donkey or hinny.
2. “Trips” means knowingly or intentionally causing an equine to lose its balance or fall by use of a wire, pole, stick or rope or any other object or by any other means.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2910.09, Arizona Legislative Council revision of 09/19/25. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
Related Statutes in Chapter 29 — Offenses Against Public Order
- A.R.S. § 13-2910 — Cruelty to animals
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.01 — Animal fighting
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.02 — Presence at animal fight
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.03 — Cockfighting
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.04 — Presence at cockfight
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.07 — Cruel and inhumane confinement of a pig during pregnancy or of a calf raised for veal
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.10 — Ownership, possession, purchase, sale, transfer or manufacture of animal fighting paraphernalia
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.11 — Unlawful animal ownership or possession
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-2910.09 Cases
A § 13-2910.09 case is decided by the paragraph the State charged, not by the statute as a whole. We start with the charging document and the disclosure, identify which subsection the prosecutor has to prove, and test whether the evidence actually reaches every element of it. Where the class turns on a fact such as value, an alleged injury, a prior conviction or the identity of the person involved, that fact is frequently the difference between a class 1 misdemeanor and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle equine tripping cases across Maricopa County and statewide, from our Scottsdale and Phoenix offices. Call 623-321-4699 any time, or read the statute in full above before you speak to anyone about the case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-2910.09?
A.R.S. § 13-2910.09 is the Arizona statute on equine tripping. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-2910.09 a felony in Arizona?
No. Under the statute a violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, so the exposure reaches up to 6 months in jail. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the maximum penalty for a class 1 misdemeanor?
A.R.S. 13-707 caps jail at 6 months for a class 1 misdemeanor and A.R.S. 13-802 caps the fine at $2,500, before surcharges. A judge may also impose probation and other conditions.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-2910.09?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/19/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
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